Effects of Helicobacter pylori infection on endocrine and exocrine mucosalfunctions in the upper gastrointestinal tract

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection affects the concentration of regu latory peptides such as gastrin, somatostatin and cholecystokinin and the c oncentration and activity of glutathione and glutathione S-transferases in the gastric mucosa. Methods: Literature review. Results: Although some of t hese peptides have been known since the beginning of this century, their ac tion has changed since the discovery of H. pylori infection in 1983. Chroni c infection with H. pylori might lead to an increased risk in developing ga stric cancer. Glutathione S-transferases are involved in the cellular detox ification of xenobiotics and other toxic compounds. Since there is a close inverse relationship between the activity of glutathione S-transferase and incidence of malignancies in the gastrointestinal tract, the possible relat ion between H. pylori infection and activity of glutathione S-transferases in the gastric mucosa is discussed. Conclusion: The effect of H. pylori inf ection on regulatory peptides and glutathione/glutathione S-transferases mi ght play a role in the development of neoplastic changes of the H. pylori-i nfected gastric mucosa.