BACKGROUND: To assess the relationships among gastric pH and ammonia level, H. pylori infection, and gastric mucosal histology, we determined the gastric juice pH and ammonia concentration in H. pylori gastritis. METHODS: The pH levels and ammonia concentrations were determined in gastric juice collected from 143 patients with dyspepsia during an endoscopy and compared according to a H. pylori infection. We also looked for correlations between two chemical parameters, between each of these parameters and H. pylori density, and histology. RESULTS: Gastric pH levels and ammonia concentrations were higher in 94 infected patients than in the uninfected (3.16 vs. 1.55, p=0.0001; 5.58 +/- 2.69 vs. 2.00 +/- 1.49 moL/L, p=0.0001). Among 28 patients who received eradication therapy, 19 (67.9%) were successful, and their gastric pH levels and ammonia concentrations were significantly lower than those in the eradication failure group (1.60 vs. 2.33, p=0.007; 1.77 +/- 1.28 vs. 4.02 +/- 1.20 micro moL/L, p=0.0001). Gastric pH was significantly associated with intragastric ammonia concentration (p=0.025) and gastritis activity (p=0.018). Gastric pH and the ammonia level were significantly correlated with each other (rs=0.495, p< 0.01), and with H. pylori density (rs=0.467; rs=0.735, p< 0.01), gastritis severity (rs=0.343; rs=0.478, p< 0.01), and gastritis activity (rs=0.418; rs=0.579, p< 0.01). CONCLUSION: Gastric juice pH and ammonia concentration reflect well the status of a H. pylori infection, and significantly correlate with each other and with H. pylori density, gastritis severity and activity. These findings suggest that intragastric ammonia produced by H. pylori may have a partial role in an increased gastric juice pH, and has a pathogenic role in H. pylori gastritis.
Adult ; Aged ; Ammonia/*analysis ; Female ; Gastric Juice/*chemistry ; Gastric Mucosa/*pathology ; Gastritis/*microbiology ; Helicobacter Infections/*complications ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Severity of Illness Index

The high SNR (Signal-to-Noise) spectra from 20 cases of gastric carcinoma and normal mucosa were obtained by confocal Raman microspectroscopy. Consistent spectral features were observed at different sites of one tissue slice for both typical tissues. Raman spectra of normal gastric mucosa shows two peaks which are assigned to amide I vibration of proteins in 1640-1670(cm(-1)) spectral region. However, in gastric carcinoma, only one peak of amino I vibrational mode of proteins can be observed. The obviously different spectral characters of the two types of tissues are in accordance to clinicopathologic diagnosis. The result shows Raman spectroscopy might be a potential method in the diagnosis of gastric carcinoma.
Adenocarcinoma ; chemistry ; diagnosis ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Gastric Mucosa ; chemistry ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spectrum Analysis, Raman ; Stomach Neoplasms ; chemistry ; diagnosis

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) has been standardized for the treatment of intestinal type of intramucosal gastric carcinomas, and careful histological examination of the resected specimen is important for further treatment. To evaluate the diagnostic utility of p53 expression in gastric EMR samples, using immunohistochemical staining, we examined 24 gastric carcinomas (22 intestinal types and two diffuse types) and 20 adenomas removed by EMR. Intestinal type of adenocarcinomas revealed strong p53 expression in 13 cases (59%), weak in four cases (18%), and negative in five cases (23%). Resection margins of 11 carcinomas were involved in the carcinoma cells, which showed the same p53 expression pattern with main carcinoma cells. Squeezed carcinoma cells, remaining in resection margins, were definitely identified by strong p53 expression in seven cases of which the main tumor strongly expressed p53. Microscopic in situ carcinoma could be easily detected in p53 immunostaining. Multifocal involvement and submucosal invasion of carcinomas could be demarcated easily and definitely by strong p53 expression of carcinoma cells. All adenomas showed diffuse weak p53 expression. The difference of p53 expression (p< 0.001) could be used as a differential diagnosis between adenomas and carcinomas. According to these results, we propose that for careful histological examination in hospital diagnosis, both histological evaluation and p53 immunostaining are important diagnostic parameters in EMR samples of the intestinal type of gastric carcinomas.
Adenocarcinoma/surgery ; Adenocarcinoma/pathology ; Adenoma/surgery* ; Adenoma/pathology* ; Endoscopy* ; Gastric Mucosa/metabolism ; Gastric Mucosa/chemistry ; Human ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Protein p53/diagnostic use* ; Protein p53/biosynthesis ; Protein p53/analysis ; Stomach Neoplasms/surgery* ; Stomach Neoplasms/pathology* ; Tumor Markers, Biological

OBJECTIVETo study the changes of mucosa irritation of crude and processed Radix Phytolaccae.

METHODGastrointestinal experiments on rats and mice and the rabbits' eyes irritation experiments were applied to investigate the changes of mucosa irritation of crude and processed Radix Phytolaccae.

RESULTThe mucosa irritation of processed Radix Phytolaccae decreased obviously compared to crude one.

CONCLUSIONAfter being processed with vinegar, the mucosa irritation on Radix Phytolaccae decreased obviously.

Acetic Acid ; chemistry ; Animals ; Dinoprostone ; metabolism ; Drug Compounding ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; Eye ; drug effects ; Gastric Mucosa ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Phytolacca ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo investigate the epidermal growth factor(EGF) and epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) expression in atrophic gastritis in rats to explore the relationship between EGF and chronic atrophic gastritis(CAG).

METHODSThe serum EGF and gastric mucosal, EGFR level were measured in 20 rats with CAG and 20 normal controls.

RESULTSThe average EGF level (0.149+/-0.020) microg/L and 80% positive rate of EGFR expression observed in CAG group were significantly higher than those in control group[(0.043+/-0.003) microg/L and 0%,P<0.01].

CONCLUSIONThe study demonstrates an association of high levels of EGF and positive EGFR expression in CAG rats. Further studies are necessary to clarify whether EGF/EGFR play a significant role in the pathogenesis of CAG.

Animals ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; blood ; physiology ; Gastric Mucosa ; chemistry ; Gastritis, Atrophic ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; analysis ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between apoptosis-related proteins in gastric mucosa, p53 and Bax, and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in children.

METHODSp53 and Bax expression in gastric mucosa were measured using immunohistochemical technique in 33 children with gastric mucosal lesions. Presence/absence of H. pylori infection was detected by the rapid urease and pathological tests.

RESULTSFifteen children (88%) showed positive expression of p53 in 17 children who were confirmed with H. pylori infection, compared with 9 (56%) in 16 H. pylori negative children. Thirteen children (76%) showed positive expression of Bax in the 17 children with H. pylori infection, compared with 6 (38%) in the 16 H. pylori negative children. The expression levels of p53 and Bax in the H. pylori positive group were significantly higher than those in the H. pylori negative group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSH. pylori infection is associated with the over-expression of p53 and Bax proteins in gastric mucosa in children.

Child ; Female ; Gastric Mucosa ; chemistry ; Helicobacter Infections ; metabolism ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; analysis ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; analysis

OBJECTIVEGrowth, regeneration and reparation of gastric mucosal epithelium may relate to the expression of peptides. This study aimed to investigate the effect of pS2, TGF-alpha and PCNA in endotoxin-induced acute gastric mucosal injury in young rats.

METHODSEighteen-day-old Wistar rats were randomly injected intraperitoneally with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (5 mg/kg) or normal saline (control). The gastric mucosal specimens were harvested 1.5, 3, 6, 24, 48, and 72 hrs after LPS or normal saline injection (n=8 each). The pathological changes of the gastric mucosa were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The expression of pS2,TGF-alpha and PCNA was measured by immunohistochemistry SP method.

RESULTSGastric mucosal injuries were the most serious 6 hrs after LPS injection, characterized by massive erosion, bleeding and cord necrosis of the gastric mucosa paralleling with gastric longitudinal axis. PCNA expression in the gastric mucosa in the LPS group 3, 6, 24 and 48 hrs after LPS injection was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.01). pS2 expression in the gastric mucosa weakened 1.5 hrs after LPS injection, recovered to the control level at 3 hrs and was significantly higher than the control at 6, 24, 48 and 72 hrs of LPS injection (P<0.01). TGF-alpha expression in the gastric mucosa in the LPS group increased significantly 6, 24 and 48 hrs after LPS injection when compared with the control group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSPCNA expression may be associated with the proliferation activity of the gastric mucosa in the process of gastric mucosal injury/reparation. pS2 and TGF-alpha might participate in the defense and reparation of gastric mucosal cells through mediating cell proliferation following acute gastric mucosal injury.

Animals ; Endotoxemia ; metabolism ; Female ; Gastric Mucosa ; chemistry ; pathology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Peptides ; analysis ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Transforming Growth Factor alpha ; analysis ; Trefoil Factor-2

OBJECTIVETo study the kinetics of MG7 expression in the process of gastric cancer development.

METHODSThe expression level of antigen MG7 on gastric mucosa in 406 cases was determined by immunohistochemical techniques. The classification of intestinal metaplasia of gastric mucosa was determined by histochemistry techniques on gastric mucosa in 82 cases.

RESULTSThe positive rates of MG7 expression in normal gastric mucosa, intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia of gastric mucosa and gastric cancer all increased gradually (P < 0.01). The positive rates of MG7 expression in superficial gastritis, atrophic gastritis and gastric cancer increased in sequence (P < 0.01). The positive rate of antigen MG7 expression in III intestinal metaplasia of gastric mucosa was significantly different with I and II intestinal metaplasia (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMG7 was quite specific in gastric cancer thus could be used as a good index in the screening of gastric cancer. Patients with III intestinal metaplasia of gastric mucosa, atrophic gastritis and dysplasia of gastric mucosa should be closely followed in order to improve the early detection on gastric cancer. It seemed that MG7 was clinically valuable in the dynamic follow-up of gastric precursors.

Adult ; Aged ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; analysis ; Female ; Gastric Mucosa ; chemistry ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Metaplasia ; Middle Aged ; Precancerous Conditions ; diagnosis ; immunology ; pathology ; Stomach Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; immunology ; pathology

AIMTo prepare bioadhesive microspheres of metronidazole (Metro) with prolonging resident time in the stomach and sustaining drug release.

METHODSThe microspheres were prepared by a drying-in-liquid method. The appearance, particle size and drug release in vitro were examined. The factors influencing bioadhesive property and drug release, such as ethyl cellulose (EC)/carbopol 934P (CP) ratio, particle size and Metro content were investigated.

RESULTSThe average diameter of the Metro-EC-CP microspheres was 559.9 microns. The release profiles of metronidazole were shown to fit to first-order equations well. With the increase of CP content in the Metro-EC-CP microspheres, the microspheres showed better mucoadhesion and faster drug release. The drug release rate decreased with the increase of particle size and the decrease of Metro content.

CONCLUSIONThe Metro-EC-CP microspheres have a sound mucoadhsive property and sustained drug release when the ratio of EC and CP was 17:3 and Metro content was 25%. The drug release was shown to last for 8 h in 0.1 mol.L-1 hydrochloric acid.

Acrylates ; Animals ; Anti-Infective Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Cell Adhesion ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Female ; Fluorocarbons ; chemistry ; Gastric Mucosa ; physiology ; Metronidazole ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Microspheres ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the differentially expressed genes between gastric cancer and normal gastric mucosa by bioinformatics analysis, identify the important gene participating in the occurrence and progression of gastric cancer, and predict the functions of these genes. METHODS: The gene expression microarray data GSE100935 (including 18 gastric cancer samples and normal gastric mucosal tissues) downloaded from the GEO expression profile database were analyzed using Morpheus to obtain the differentially expressed genes in gastric cancer, and a cluster analysis heat map was constructed. The online database UALCAN was used to obtain the expression levels of these differentially expressed genes in gastric cancer and normal gastric mucosa. The prognostic value of the differentially expressed genes in gastric cancer was evaluated with Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. GO functional enrichment analysis was performed using Fun-Rich software, and the STRING database was exploited to establish a PPI network for the differentially expressed genes. RESULTS: A total of 45119 differentially expressed genes were identified from GSE100935 microarray data. Analysis with UALCAN showed an obvious high expression of EXD3 gene in gastric cancer, and survival analysis suggested that a high expression level of EXD3 was associated with a poorer prognosis of the patients with gastric cancer. GO functional enrichment analysis found that the differentially expressed genes in gastric cancer were involved mainly in the regulation of nucleotide metabolism and the activity of transcription factors in the cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS EXD3 may be a potential oncogene in gastric cancer possibly in relation to DNA damage repair. The up-regulation of EXD3 plays an important role in the development and prognosis of gastric cancer, and may serve as an important indicator for prognostic evaluation of the patients.
Computational Biology ; Databases, Genetic ; Exonucleases ; genetics ; Gastric Mucosa ; chemistry ; enzymology ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; Prognosis ; Stomach Neoplasms ; enzymology ; genetics ; mortality