Phospholipase A2 activity in gastric juice from patients with active and H. pylori-eradicated healed duodenal ulcer.
BACKGROUND
Despite the close association between gastric Helicobacter pylori infection and duodenal ulcer, little is known about how this organism may promote mucosal damage. A possibility might be that it produces, or induces the host to release, phospholipases that metabolize the protective layer of phospholipids.


METHODS
Aimed at determination of phospholipase A2 activity and the concentration of choline-containing phospholipids in gastric juice, aspirates were collected during gastroscopy in 38 consecutive referrals with either active (n = 19) or H. pylori-eradicated healed duodenal ulcer (n = 19).


RESULTS
Gastric juice phospholipase A2 activity was 3.1 times higher in active than in healed duodenal ulcers (P = 0.03). Concurrently, the concentration of choline-containing phospholipids in the group with active ulcers was less than half compared with the healed group (P = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that phospholipase A2 activity and the concentration of choline-containing phospholipids in gastric juice are related to H. pylori status and duodenal ulcer disease.
Medical Department A, Haukeland University Hospital, University of Bergen, Norway.
K
K
Berstad
R
R
Sjödahl
A
A
Berstad
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001647:Bile Acids and Salts / Q000032:analysis; D001729:Bismuth / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002794:Choline / Q000032:analysis; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D005750:Gastric Juice / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D010118:Oxytetracycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010741:Phospholipases A / Q000378:metabolism*; D054467:Phospholipases A2; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry
D001647:Bile Acids and Salts; D010743:Phospholipids; D008795:Metronidazole; D010741:Phospholipases A; D054467:Phospholipases A2; D002794:Choline; D001729:Bismuth; D010118:Oxytetracycline