No abstract available.
Esophagitis, Peptic ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Esophageal pH Monitoring ; Achlorhydria ; Abdominal Pain ; Electric Impedance

PURPOSE: To assess gastric pH and its relationship with urease-test positivity and histological findings in children with Helicobacter pylori infection. METHODS: Fasting gastric juices and endoscopic antral biopsy specimens were collected from 562 children and subjected to the urease test and histopathological examination. The subjects were divided into 3 age groups: 0-4, 5-9, and 10-15 years. The histopathological grade was assessed using the Updated Sydney System, while the gastric juice pH was determined using a pH meter. RESULTS: The median gastric juice pH did not differ significantly among the age groups (p=0.655). The proportion of individuals with gastric pH >4.0 was 1.3% in the 0-4 years group, 6.1% in the 5-9 years group, and 8.2% in 10-15 years (p=0.101). The proportions of moderate and severe chronic gastritis, active gastritis, and H. pylori infiltration increased with age (p<0.005). Urease-test positivity was higher in children with hypochlorhydria (77.8%) than in those with normal gastric pH (31.7%) (p<0.001). Chronic and active gastritis were more severe in the former than the latter (p<0.001), but the degree of H. pylori infiltration did not differ (20.9% vs. 38.9%; p=0.186). CONCLUSION: Gastric pH while fasting is normal in most children regardless of age. Urease-test positivity may be related to hypochlorhydria in children, and hypochlorhydria is in turn related to H. pylori infection.
Achlorhydria ; Biopsy ; Child* ; Fasting ; Gastric Juice ; Gastritis ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration* ; Urease

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Caudal-related homeobox 2 (Cdx2) is expressed in the human intestinal metaplastic mucosa and induces intestinal metaplastic mucosa in the Cdx2 transgenic mouse stomach. Atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia commonly lead to gastric achlorhydria, which predisposes the stomach to bacterial overgrowth. In the present study, we determined the differences in gut microbiota between normal and Cdx2 transgenic mice, using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). METHODS: Twelve normal (control) and 12 Cdx2 transgenic mice were sacrificed, and the gastric, jejunal, ileac, cecal and colonic mucosa, and feces were collected. To quantitate bacterial microbiota, we used real-time qRTPCR with 16S rRNA gene-targeted, species-specific primers. RESULTS: The total numbers of bacteria in the gastric, jejunal, ileac, cecal, and colonic mucosa of the Cdx2 transgenic mice were significantly higher than those of the normal mice. The Bacteroides fragilis group and also Prevotella were not detected in the stomach of the normal mice, although they were detected in the Cdx2 transgenic mice. Moreover, the Clostridium coccoides group, Clostridium leptum subgroup, Bacteroides fragilis group, and Prevotella were not detected in the jejunum or ileum of the normal mice, although they were detected in the Cdx2 transgenic mice. The fecal microbiota of the normal mice was similar to that of the Cdx2 transgenic mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed the differences in composition of gut microbiota between normal and Cdx2 transgenic mice, which may be caused by the development of gastric achlorhydria and intestinal metaplasia in Cdx2 transgenic mice.
Achlorhydria ; Animals ; Bacteria ; Bacteroides fragilis ; Clostridium ; Colon ; Feces ; Gastritis, Atrophic ; Genes, Homeobox* ; Humans ; Ileum ; Jejunum ; Metaplasia ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic* ; Microbiota* ; Mucous Membrane ; Prevotella ; Stomach

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-secreting tumors (VIPomas) cause VIPoma syndrome, which is characterized by watery diarrhea, hypokalemia, and achlorhydria. The treatment options for metastatic VIPomas include somatostatin analogs, cytoreductive surgery, and chemotherapy. We report the case of a 54-year-old male who presented with a peripancreatic mass with multiple hepatic metastases on computed tomography. After resection, the peripancreatic mass was demonstrated pathologically to be a neuroendocrine tumor. Although the patient received systemic chemotherapy and somatostatin analogs for the hepatic metastatic masses, the tumor increased in size. The patient then experienced severe diarrhea, despite treatment with the somatostatin analogs. Elevated serum VIP levels (3,260 pg/mL) and typical symptoms confirmed the diagnosis of VIPoma. We performed hepatic artery embolization (HAE) to reduce the tumor volume and control his symptoms, which led to a very rapid symptomatic response. The patient has remained symptom-free for 18 months with repeated HAE.
Achlorhydria ; Diagnosis ; Diarrhea ; Drug Therapy ; Hepatic Artery* ; Humans ; Hypokalemia ; Liver* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Neuroendocrine Tumors ; Somatostatin ; Tumor Burden ; Vipoma*

Relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is controversial. We aimed to review the possible relationship between H. pylori infection and GERD. Epidemiological data indicate an inverse relationship between frequency of H. pylori infection and prevalence of GERD and its complications like Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma. H. pylori eradication in patients with peptic ulcer disease may be associated with increased risk of development of GERD compared with untreated patients. Infection with cagA bearing strains of H. pylori was associated with less severe GERD including endoscopic esophagitis, possibly due to pangastritis leading to hypochlorhydria. Recent studies on inflammatory markers (IL-1beta and IL-1RN) suggest pro-inflammatory genotypes to be protective against development of severe GERD, especially in patients with H. pylori infection. Identification of candidate genes playing an important role in gastric acid secretion and visceral hypersensitivity to the esophageal epithelium might help in early detection of individuals susceptible to develop GERD. Interplay between H. pylori and host factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of GERD.
Achlorhydria ; Adenocarcinoma ; Barrett Esophagus ; Epithelium ; Esophagitis ; Gastric Acid ; Gastritis ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Genotype ; Helicobacter ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Peptic Ulcer ; Prevalence ; Ursidae

Lots of cases relating Helicobacter pylori infection to iron-deficiency anemia have been described in the literature and H. pylori infection has emerged as a cause of refractory iron-deficiency anemia which is unresponsive to oral iron therapy. H. pylori-associated iron-deficiency anemia can be treated by H. pylori eradication. It is not thought to be attributable to gastrointestinal blood loss, such as duodenal ulcer. The mechanism by which H. pylori infection contributes to iron-deficiency anemia remains unclear. However, four possible explanations can be posited for this relationship; occult blood loss secondary to chronic gastritis, reduced iron absorption due to hypo- or achlorhydria, increased iron consumption by H. pylori, and iron sequestration in gastric mucosa. H. pylori- associated iron-deficiency anemia seems to develop in populations at increased risk for iron depletion. When pubescent girls, including athletes, are found to have iron-deficiency anemia refractory to iron administration, they should be evaluated for H. pylori infection.
Absorption ; Achlorhydria ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency* ; Athletes ; Duodenal Ulcer ; Female ; Gastric Mucosa ; Gastritis ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Iron ; Occult Blood

Somatostatinoma is a rare form of neuroendocrine tumor that was first described in 1977. Most tumors have involved the pancreas, and gastrointestinal tract involvement is rare. Somatostatinomas of the ampulla of Vater are extremely rare and present distinct clinical and pathologic differences. Pancreatic somatostatinoma has been associated with a clinical syndrome of dyspepsia, mild diabetes, cholelithiasis, steatorrhea, and hypochlorhydria, but duodenal somatostatinoma, in general, has been clinically silent. A further contrast is that duodenal carcinoid tumors, mainly gastrinoma, tended to be benign, whereas ampullary carcinoid tumors, mainly somatostatinoma, exhibited malignant behavior. Therefore, definite diagnosis is important for treatment and prognosis, and is performed by image study, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopic examination. We report a case of somatostatinoma of the ampulla of Vater in a 51-year-old male. He complained of generalized abdominal pain for a few days. Gastrofiberscopically, a 1.2 cm sized bulging mass was observed on the ampulla of Vater. Radiologically, on abdomen CT, a protruding enhancing mass was revealed in the duodenum. In octreoscan, there was an abnormal focus off increased radiouptake in the infrahepatic area. He underwent a pancreatoduodenectomy. Grossly, the mass was an intraluminary protruding polypoid submucosal mass with focal ulceration in the ampulla of Vater. Histologically, it showed well-differentiated nonpleomorphic tubular cell nest and psammoma bodies. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells showed a neuroendocrine nature with synaptophysin immunostain and intense staining only for somatostatin.
Abdomen ; Abdominal Pain ; Achlorhydria ; Ampulla of Vater* ; Carcinoid Tumor ; Cholelithiasis ; Diagnosis ; Duodenum ; Dyspepsia ; Gastrinoma ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neuroendocrine Tumors ; Pancreas ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; Prognosis ; Somatostatin ; Somatostatinoma* ; Steatorrhea ; Synaptophysin ; Ulcer

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Data from previous studies on gastric acid secretion and the prevalence of H. pylori in liver cirrhosis patients remain poorly defined. H. pylori is a potential source of NH3, but the possible role of H. pylori in hepatic encephalopathy is not clear. The purpose of this study was to compare gastric acid secretion, the impact of H. pylori infection, and the production of NH3 between cirrhotic patients and healthy, matched controls. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with liver cirrhosis (HBV, n=12; Alcohol, n=12; HCV, n=5) were matched with 33 healthy persons for age and sex. None of the patients or controls were being treated with antacids, H2-receptor blockers or proton pump inhibitors. The pH and NH3 concentration was measured in gastric juice obtained by endoscopy. H. pylori infection was diagnosed using the rapid urease test. The level of NH3 in venous blood was also measured. RESULTS: The average gastric pH was significantly higher in cirrhosis patients compared to controls (3.91 vs. 2.99, P<0.05). In addition, the prevalence of hypochlorhydria (defined as pH>4) was significantly greater in cirrhosis patients (45 vs. 21%, P<0.05). In contrast, the prevalence of H. pylori infection (62% vs. 58%) and gastric NH3 concentrations (3.4 vs. 3.3 mM/L) were similar between both groups. However, venous NH3 levels were significantly higher in cirrhotics than in controls (63.1 vs. 25.2 micro M/L, P<0.05). The patients with H. pylori infection had significantly higher gastric NH3 concentration (3.8 vs. 1.6 mM/L) and gastric pH (3.87 vs. 2.76, P<0.05) than those without infection, but no significant difference in venous NH3 levels were detected (39.6 vs. 48.1 micro M/L). In patients with cirrhosis, the presence of H. pylori infection was not correlated with either gastric or blood NH3 levels. CONCLUSIONS: The gastric pH of liver cirrhosis patients is higher than that of controls and a larger proportion of cirrhotic patients have hypochlorhydria. The prevalence of H. pylori in liver cirrhosis patients was similar to that in controls and no correlation was found between gastric and blood NH3 levels. Thus, H. pylori infection does not seem to play a major role in generation of elevated NH3 associated with hepatic encephalopathy.
Achlorhydria/complications ; Ammonia/analysis ; English Abstract ; Female ; Gastric Acid/secretion ; *Gastric Acidity Determination ; Helicobacter Infections/*complications/physiopathology ; *Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Liver Cirrhosis/*metabolism/microbiology/physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged

PURPOSE: Interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) polymorphisms are associated with hypochlorhydria, atrophic gastritis, and increased risk of gastric cancer in Caucasians. We tried to determine whether the IL-1beta and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1 RN) genetic polymorphisms contribute to the development of gastric cancer and the specific type of gastritis in Korean. MATENRIALS AND METHODS: The study population was comprised of 128 gastric cancer patients with histologically proven carcinoma and 63 normal healthy individuals. Sixty-eight carcinomas were of intestinal-type and sixty tumors were of diffuse-type. No patient had a familial gastric cancer history. The 511 bp and 31 bp polymorphisms in the IL-1beta were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The polymorphism of the IL-1 RN was analyzed with variable number tandem repeat after PCR. RESULTS: The genotype of 511C/-31T of IL-1beta and allele 1 of IL-1 RN was dominant in the present subjects. The allelic frequencies of the C allele IL-1beta, which is a high risk genotype for gastric cancer, were 0.551 and 0.429 in gastric cancer and normal controls, respectively. Statistically, significant difference in allelic frequencies of three polymorphic sites between gastric cancer patients and normal controls, and between intestinal-type and diffuse-type was not observed. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the polymorphisms of IL-1beta and IL-1 RN may not contribute to the development of Korean gastric caner and that other endogenous or exogenous factors will be important for gastric carcinogenesis.
Achlorhydria ; Alleles ; Carcinogenesis ; Gastritis ; Gastritis, Atrophic ; Genotype ; Humans ; Interleukin-1* ; Interleukin-1beta* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic* ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Tandem Repeat Sequences

OBJECTIVE: To test if the intake of H2 receptor antagonists (H2-RAs) increases the risk of gastric cancer in the elderly. METHODS: The source population for this study was drawn from the responders to a questionnaire survey administered to the Korea Elderly Pharmacoepidemiological Cohort (KEPEC), who were beneficiaries of the Korean Medical Insurance Corporation, were at least 65 years old, and residing in Busan in 1993. The information on H2-RAs exposure was obtained from a drug prescription database compiled between Jan. 1993 and Dec. 1994. The cases consisted of 76 gastric cancer patients, as confirmed from the KMIC claims data, the National Cancer Registry and the Busan Cancer Registry. The follow-up period was from Jan. 1993 to Dec. 1998. Cancer free controls were randomly selected by 1:4 individual matching, which took in to consideration the year of birth and gender. Information on confounders was collected by a mail questionnaire survey. The odds ratios, and their 95% confidence intervals, were calculated using a conditional logistic regression model. RESULTS: After adjusting for a history of gastric ulcer symptoms, medication history, and body mass index, the adjusted OR (aOR) was 4.6 (95% CI=1.72-12.49). The odds ratio of long term use (more than 7 days) was 2.3 (95% CI=1.07-4.82). The odds ratio of short term use was 4.6 (95% CI=1.26-16.50). The odds ratio of parenteral use was 4.4 (95% CI=1.16-17.05) and combination use between the oral and parenteral routes (aOR, 16.8; 95% CI=1.21-233.24) had the high risk of gastric cancer. The aOR of cimetidine was 1.7 (95% CI=1.04-2.95). The aOR of ranitidine was 2.0 (95% CI=1.21-3.40). The aOR of famotidine was 1.7 (95% CI=0.98-2.80). CONCLUSION: The intake of H2-RAs might increase the risk of gastric cancer through achlorhydria in the elderly.
Achlorhydria ; Aged* ; Body Mass Index ; Busan ; Case-Control Studies* ; Cimetidine ; Cohort Studies ; Drug Prescriptions ; Famotidine ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Insurance ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Odds Ratio ; Parturition ; Pharmacoepidemiology ; Postal Service ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Ranitidine ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Stomach Ulcer