title: Gastric-juice enzymes--an aid in the diagnosis of gastric cancer?
abstract: Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and beta-glucuronidase concentrations were measured in the resting gastric juice of 113 patients presenting with dyspepsia. All patients were investigated by double-contrast barium meal, endoscopy with biopsy, and, when appropriate, by laparotomy. In all patients tested there was a positive correlation between LDH and beta-glucuronidase concentrations. An index derived from the two enzyme activities correctly predicted the presence of gastric carcinoma in 41 out of 42 cases, and identified the only 2 cases of early gastric cancer in the series. There were 13 (11.5%) false-positive results, all in cases with extensive intestinal metaplasia, a change which may be associated with an increased risk of gastric malignancy. The measurement of gastric-juice enzymes is useful in the diagnosis of gastric cancer and may be of value in the identification of high-risk groups. The test is easily performed, inexpensive, and reproducible.
mesh_terms: D004796:Clinical Enzyme Tests; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000201:enzymology; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005750:Gastric Juice / Q000201:enzymology*; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000032:analysis*; D008679:Metaplasia; D012306:Risk; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D005966:Glucuronidase