Hypoacidity combined with high gastric juice nitrite induced by Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with gastric cancer.
BACKGROUND
In patients with Helicobacter pylori infection, the concentration of nitrite in gastric juice is elevated. The degree of elevation correlates with that of inflammation and H. pylori density.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to examine hypoacidity and high nitrite levels related to H. pylori infection in patients with gastric cancer.


METHODS
We studied 88 patients with more than one history of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for early gastric cancer and 88 age-matched controls. Concentration of nitrite in gastric juice was measured by Griess reaction, and serum pepsinogen levels were measured by RIA.


RESULTS
Multiple malignant lesions were found in 20 of the 88 patients. Serum gastrin, gastric juice pH and nitrite levels in patients with gastric cancer were significantly higher and pepsinogen I and pepsinogen I/II significantly lower than in control subjects. Pepsinogen I level and I/II ratio were lower and gastric juice pH was higher in the protruded-type group than in the depressed-type group. Pepsinogen I and pepsinogen I/II were lower and gastric juice pH was higher in multiple than in single cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Hypoacidity combined with high gastric juice nitrite induced by H. pylori infection is associated with the intestinal type of gastric cancer, especially protruded lesions.
Health Administration Center, Wakayama University, Wakayama, Japan.
A
A
Shiotani
H
H
Iishi
N
N
Uedo
K
K
Higashino
M
M
Kumamoto
Y
Y
Nakae
M
M
Tatsuta
D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005744:Gastric Acid; D005745:Gastric Acidity Determination; D005750:Gastric Juice / Q000737:chemistry*; D005755:Gastrins / Q000097:blood; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D009573:Nitrites / Q000378:metabolism*; D010435:Pepsinogens / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*
D005755:Gastrins; D009573:Nitrites; D010435:Pepsinogens