title: Helicobacter pylori causes hyperproliferation of the gastric epithelium: pre- and post-eradication indices of proliferating cell nuclear antigen.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effect of Helicobacter pylori (HP) eradication on the proliferation of the gastric epithelium by the expression of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Alcohol-fixed gastric biopsies taken before and after treatment for HP were immunostained with the PC-10 anti-PCNA monoclonal antibody and the labeling index was determined with an image analysis system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean PCNA-labeling index (LI) of 16 patients who remained HP positive did not change significantly (18.95 +/- 1.71 on first visit vs. 17.96 +/- 1.91 on second visit, mean +/- SEM). The mean PCNA LI of 31 patients who cleared HP was reduced significantly (19.95 +/- 1.77 on first visit vs. 14.13 +/- 1.29 on second visit, p < 0.001). Patients who were positive for HP at both first and second visit showed a significantly higher PCNA LI than normal control biopsies (13.05 +/- 1.70) (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that the gastric mucosa infected with HP is in a state of hyperproliferation. Patients who cleared HP showed a significant histopathological improvement, reflected in the reduction in number of polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cell infiltrates, and a reduction in the amount of superficial mucosa damage. Prolonged hyperproliferation of the gastric epithelium exerted by HP infection could be a major factor for human gastric carcinogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Brenes
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ruiz
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Correa
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rhamakrishnan
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fontham
authors.forename: T Y
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Shi
mesh_terms: D001324:Autoantigens / Q000032:analysis*; D001706:Biopsy; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D012307:Risk Factors; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D001324:Autoantigens; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen