title: Hypotheses on the role of cytokines in peptic ulcer disease.
abstract: Helicobacter pylori is the cause of chronic type B gastritis and occurs in almost all patients with duodenal ulcers. Infection with H. pylori is characterized by an increased production of several inflammatory cytokines. Increasing evidence suggests a central role of these cytokines in the pathogenesis of H. pylori-associated gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. Cytokines may be crucial in the recruitment and activation of inflammatory cells and in stimulation of gastrin release. In addition to their proinflammatory properties, cytokines may also inhibit the ulcer occurrence by stimulation of prostaglandins and somatostatin release and by direct impairment of acid secretion. The balance of these factors may determine the clinical outcome of H. pylori infection.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital of Basle, Switzerland.
authors.forename: F S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Lehmann
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Stalder
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology*; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005755:Gastrins / Q000502:physiology; D005756:Gastritis / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D005755:Gastrins; D013004:Somatostatin