Apoptosis and proliferation in gastric epithelium due to Helicobacter pylori: an immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study.
The effect of H. pylori infection on gastric epithelial cell apoptosis and proliferation is contradictory. Using immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy, this study sought to demonstrate gastric epithelial changes (ie, apoptosis and proliferation) due to chronic H. pylori infection.


METHODS
Eighteen female 6- to 8-week old Swiss Albino mice were inoculated intragastrically with 3 doses of 10(9) CFU/mL H. pylori prepared in a Brucella Broth in 5 days. Nine others served as a control group. At the end of 28 weeks, tissue specimens from the gastric antrum were excised and examined immunohistochemically (epithelial growth factor for regeneration and Caspase-3 for apoptosis) and electron microscopically. Immunohistochemical assessment was performed using the indirect peroxidase-antiperoxidase method.


RESULTS
In the H. pylori-infected group, EGF staining in gastric epithelium was found to be decreased significantly compared to that in control group (P < 0.001). Caspase-3 reactivity was commonly observed in surface epithelial cells and glandular epithelial cells in H. pylori-infected group and totally it was statistically significant compared to Caspase-3 staining in control group (P < 0.001). Electron micrograph images demonstrated numerous apoptotic cells with condensed chromatin.


CONCLUSIONS
Chronic H. pylori infection of 28 weeks' duration increases apoptosis in gastric epithelium; however, increased apoptosis does not induce proliferation.
Karabay
G
G
Başkent University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Ankara, Turkey. gultenkarabay@yahoo.com
Nacar
A
A
Can
F
F
Demirbilek
M
M
Bacanli
D
D
Take
G
G
Yazici
A C
AC
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure* / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D008854:Microscopy, Electron
D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; C505409:Casp3 protein, mouse; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases