Vitamin C concentration in gastric juice in patients with precancerous lesions of the stomach and gastric cancer.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the study was to elucidate what are the concentrations of vitamin C in gastric juice in patients with gastric cancer in comparison to patients with metaplasia.


METHODS
In patients aged 20 to 75 years with H. pylori infection and chronic gastritis, metaplasia and gastric cancer the concentration of vitamin C was determined by spectrofotometry of gastric juice during gastroscopy. On the basis of the results of histological examination the following four groups were isolated. Group I (control)--12 patients with normal gastric mucosa, group II--15 patients with chronic gastritis, group III--17 patients with metaplasia and group IV--16 patients with gastric cancer H. pylori infection was confirmed by urease test and histological examination (Giemsa stainning) in all patients.


RESULTS
In controls the mean concentration of vitamin C in gastric juice was 18.2 mg/ml (5.7-31.2 mg/ml), in group II--6.3 mg/ml (2.9-13.1 mg/ml) in group III--3.9 mg/ml (2.6-10.1 mg/ml) and group IV--3.2 mg/ml (1.7-9.2 mg/ml). Statistically significant differences of vitamin C concentration were found among group I and group II, III and IV (p<0.001) and among groups II and III and IV (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
There are not differences of vitamin C concentration in gastric juice between patients with metaplasia and patients with gastric cancer. This points out that low levels of this vitamin in gastric juice might play the role in the earlier stages of carcinogenesis.
Dabrowska-Ufniarz
Elzbieta
E
Department of Gastroenterology, National Food and Nutrition Institute, ul. Kondratowicza 8, 03-242 Warsaw, Poland.
Dzieniszewski
Jan
J
Jarosz
Mirosław
M
Wartanowicz
Maria
M
D000328:Adult; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005750:Gastric Juice / Q000378:metabolism*; D005773:Gastroscopy; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000378:metabolism*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*
D001205:Ascorbic Acid