Helicobacter pylori, pepsinogens and gastrin: relationship with age and development of atrophic gastritis.
BACKGROUND
Helicobacter pylori causes chronic gastritis in all infected individuals and thus may be a risk factor for the ultimate development of trophic gastritis and gastric cancer. The serum levels of pepsinogen A, pepsinogen C and gastrin can be used as markers for both non-atrophic and atrophic gastritis.


METHODS
We determined the serum levels of gastrin, pepsinogen A and pepsinogen C and the pepsinogen A/C ratio in 150 H. pylori-negative and 186 H. pylori-positive individuals.


RESULTS
The H. pylori infected patients had significantly higher serum levels of pepsinogen A, pepsinogen C and gastrin and a significantly lower pepsinogen A/C ratio. In the non-infected patients, none of the respective serum values changed with increasing age. In contrast, in the infected patients, the pepsinogen A level and pepsinogen A/C ratio decreased significantly with increasing age.


CONCLUSIONS
H. pylori infection increases serum levels of pepsinogen A, pepsinogen C and gastrin and decreases the pepsinogen A/C ratio. In infected subjects, levels of pepsinogen A and the pepsinogen A/C ratio decrease with ageing. These findings support the concept of H. pylori as a risk factor for the development of atrophic gastritis.
Kuipers
E J
EJ
Department of Gastroenterology, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Pals
G
G
Peña
A S
AS
van Uffelen
C W
CW
Kok
A
A
Westerveld
B D
BD
Meuwissen
S G
SG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D005755:Gastrins / Q000097:blood*; D005757:Gastritis, Atrophic / Q000209:etiology*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010435:Pepsinogens / Q000097:blood*; D012307:Risk Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D005755:Gastrins; D010435:Pepsinogens