Effect of bismuth and nitecapone on acetaldehyde production by Helicobacter pylori.
BACKGROUND
We have recently shown that colloidal bismuth subcitrate inhibits cytosolic alcohol dehydrogenase of Helicobacter pylori as well as acetaldehyde production from excess ethanol. We now extend our studies to bismuth subsalicylate and nitecapone, a novel antiulcer agent.


METHODS
Cytosol of H. pylori was incubated with 0.1% or 1% ethanol in the presence of different drug concentrations for 2 h, whereafter acetaldehyde formed was analyzed by head space gas chromatography. In addition, we incubated a culture solution containing intact bacteria with the drugs at 1% ethanol.


RESULTS
Bismuth subsalicylate and nitecapone inhibit acetaldehyde formation from 0.1% ethanol by H. pylori cytosol at drug concentrations theoretically achievable in the stomach after intake of therapeutic doses of these drugs. Furthermore, colloidal bismuth subcitrate, bismuth subsalicylate, and nitecapone also inhibit acetaldehyde production by intact H. pylori, although rather high drug concentrations are required for this to occur.


CONCLUSIONS
Inhibition of H. pylori acetaldehyde formation may be one of the mechanisms by which bismuth and nitecapone exert their effect in the treatment of H. pylori-related disorders.
Salmela
K S
KS
Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Roine
R P
RP
Höök-Nikanne
J
J
Kosunen
T U
TU
Salaspuro
M
M
D000079:Acetaldehyde / Q000378:metabolism*; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001729:Bismuth / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002396:Catechols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003102:Colloids; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D000431:Ethanol / Q000378:metabolism; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D010422:Pentanones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012459:Salicylates / Q000494:pharmacology
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D002396:Catechols; D003102:Colloids; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D010422:Pentanones; D012459:Salicylates; D000431:Ethanol; C015715:bismuth subsalicylate; C057364:nitecapone; D000079:Acetaldehyde; C002791:bismuth tripotassium dicitrate; D001729:Bismuth