Helicobacter pylori infection increases mucosal permeability of the stomach and intestine

It is important to study the effect of Helicobacter pylori infection on the permeability of the intestine. Permeability was evaluated by oral sucrose tolerance test using sucrose 25 g in 200 mi of water. Existence of H. pylor i itself was associated with increased permeability of sucrose. Also, the p ermeability of sucrose increased as polymorphonuclear and lymphocyte infilt ration increased. The increase of mucosal permeability suggests that antige ns like protein penetrate into the body and result in systemic reactions. T hus, it is important to study the implication of increased permeability in relation not only to gastric diseases but also certain systemic diseases. C opyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.