GASTRIC-MUCOSAL HYDROPHOBICITY IN DUODENAL ULCERATION - ROLE OF HELICOBACTER-PYLORI INFECTION DENSITY AND MUCUS LIPIDS

Background & Aims: Gastric mucosal hydrophobicity is reduced in Helico bacter pylori infection. Infection density is increased in duodenal ul cer (DU) compared with H. pylori gastritis alone, but it is unknown wh ether there is a corresponding difference in hydrophobicity or whether hydrophobicity is related to infection density or to mucus lipids. Th e aim of this study was to determine the relationship between H. pylor i infection density and mucosal hydrophobicity, and between mucus lipi ds and hydrophobicity, and to compare results in patients with H. pylo ri-induced gastritis with and without DU, Methods: Fifty-four patients , including 29 H. pylori-positive (15 with DU and 14 with gastritis al one) and 25 H. pylori-negative controls, were studied. Hydrophobicity was determined by goniometry and infection density by histology. Mucus lipids were determined by colorimetry and phospholipase A(2) activity by radioenzymatic assay, Results: Hydrophobicity was reduced in DU co mpared with gastritis alone (39 degrees vs. 48 degrees; P < 0.05) and with healthy controls (39 degrees vs. 60 degrees; P < 0.0001). Hydroph obicity correlated with infection density (Rs = -0.55; P < 0.01), Mucu s triglyceride level was modestly increased with infection, but mucus phospholipids or lipolysis were unrelated to H. pylori and hydrophobic ity, Conclusions: Mucosal hydrophobicity is reduced in H. pylori-posit ive patients with DU compared with those having gastritis only. Hydrop hobicity correlates with infection density but not with mucus lipid le vels.