Effect of long-term omeprazole treatment on antral G and D cells in children.
BACKGROUND
Long-term omeprazole therapy is associated with hypergastrinemia. In the antrum, gastrin secretion from G cells is inhibited in a paracrine manner by somatostatin secreted from D cells. Omeprazole may alter the ratio of G to D cells; however, there are limited data concerning such an effect in humans and none in children. The authors studied the effect of long-term omeprazole therapy on antral G- and D-cell numbers in children.


METHODS
Six children received omeprazole for 4 to 7 years for erosive reflux esophagitis. Endoscopic antral biopsy specimens obtained at baseline and at 1, 4, and 7 years of omeprazole administration were immunostained to assess G and D cell numbers per antral gland. The G- and D-cell numbers were also assessed in an age-matched control group consisting of 24 healthy children from six different age groups.


RESULTS
The mean G-cell number per unit area showed a significant increase at 4 years (85 +/- 5.7 years) and at 7 years (89 +/- 6.8 years) on omeprazole compared with baseline (56 +/- 4.8 years) ( P < 0.01). D-cell numbers did not change. The ratio of G to D cells increased progressively, and the change from baseline was significant at 7 years taking omeprazole ( P < 0.02). In the control group, G- and D-cell numbers did not differ significantly within the six age groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Long-term omeprazole therapy is associated with a significant increase in G-cell numbers and in the ratio of G to D cells in children. These changes reflect the effect of omeprazole because there was no change in these parameters in the age-matched control group.
Pashankar
D S
DS
Division of Gastroenterology, British Columbia's Children's Hospital, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6H 3V4.
Israel
D M
DM
Jevon
G P
GP
Buchan
A M
AM
D000293:Adolescent; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002452:Cell Count; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005755:Gastrins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011706:Pyloric Antrum / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D005755:Gastrins; D013004:Somatostatin; D009853:Omeprazole