Helicobacter pylori does not release cysteamine into gastric juice.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether Helicobacter pylori releases cysteamine into gastric juice as cysteamine is known to be ulcerogenic.


METHODS
Samples of fasting gastric juice were collected from 22 individuals (four women); 10 subjects were H pylori negative. The presence of infection was confirmed by examination and culture of gastric biopsies. Cysteamine in gastric juice was measured by reversed phase gradient high performance liquid chromatography with a detection limit of 10 mumol/l.


RESULTS
Cysteamine was not detected in any of the gastric juice samples or in extracts of cultured H pylori.


CONCLUSIONS
If H pylori produces cysteamine then the amounts produced are insignificant and are unlikely to explain the association between H pylori infection and the development of duodenal ulcer disease.
Leonard
M B
MB
Department of Chemical Pathology, Wirral Hospital NHS Trust and Medicine, Gardiner Institute, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, UK.
Neithercut
W D
WD
Gillen
D
D
McColl
K E
KE
D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003543:Cysteamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005750:Gastric Juice / Q000378:metabolism*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000378:metabolism*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
D003543:Cysteamine