Effect of Helicobacter pylori infection on gastrointestinal motility, pancreatic secretion and hormone release in asymptomatic humans

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with complex altera tions of the gastric physiology in patients with ulcer disease or functiona l dyspepsia. We aimed at evaluating whether H. pylori infection is accompan ied by changes in interdigestive and postprandial gastrointestinal motility , exocrine pancreatic secretion or hormone release in asymptomatic subjects . Methods: Nineteen healthy men (age range 26-35 years) were studied after 12 h fasting. Motor activity was recorded for a complete motor migrating co mplex cycle and two postprandial hours. Pancreatic enzyme secretion was eva luated using a standard duodenal perfusion technique. Plasma concentrations of gastrin, PP and motilin were determined at 15-min intervals. H. pylori infection was proved by serology and C-13-urea breath test. Results: Eight subjects (42%) were H. pylori positive. Interdigestive and postprandial gas trointestinal motility were similar in H. pylori positive and negative subj ects. Interdigestive pancreatic secretion was increased in H. pylori positi ve subjects (P < 0.05). Postprandial pancreatic secretion tended also to be higher in H. pylori positive subjects. H. pylori infection was associated with an increased postprandial release of gastrin (P < 0.05) as well as wit h a slight increase of interdigestive gastrin release. The release of PP an d motilin, as well as the interdigestive coordination between gastrointesti nal motility, pancreatic secretion and hormone release, was not altered by H. pylori infection. Conclusions: H. pylori infection in asymptomatic subje cts is associated with changes not only in gastric physiology but also in p ancreatic function. This first reported link between H. pylori and the panc reas could have patho physiological implications in pancreatic diseases and therefore deserves further study.