Gastric acid secretion, serum pepsinogen I, and serum gastrin in Japanese with gastric hyperplastic polyps or polypoid-type early gastric carcinoma

Severe Anemia from Multiple Gastric Hyperplastic Polyps in a Hemodialysis Patient after Long-term Use of a Proton-pump Inhibitor

A 90-year-old man on maintenance hemodialysis was admitted due to severe symptomatic anemia. Biopsies under esophagogastroduodenoscopy demonstrated that the cause of anemia was intermittent blood oozing from multiple gastric hyperplastic polyps. Even after successful eradication of Helicobacter pylori, he showed hypergastrinemia (480 pg/mL) owing to esomeprazole (proton-pump inhibitor) therapy for the past 4.5 years to treat reflux esophagitis. Seven months after we switched esomeprazole to famotidine (H2-receptor antagonist), those gastric polyps and anemia were remarkably ameliorated with lowered gastrin levels. This case indicates that long-term use of a proton-pump inhibitor triggers chronic hypergastrinemia, leading to gastric hyperplastic polyps and subsequent severe anemia.

Randomised clinical trial: 3-year interim analysis results of the VISION trial to evaluate the long-term safety of vonoprazan as maintenance treatment in patients with erosive oesophagitis

BACKGROUND

VISION is a randomised, phase 4, open-label, parallel-group, multicentre study conducted in 33 centres in Japan. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term safety of vonoprazan for maintenance treatment of healed erosive oesophagitis versus lansoprazole.

METHODS

Patients with endoscopically diagnosed erosive oesophagitis were randomised 2:1 to once-daily vonoprazan 20 mg or lansoprazole 30 mg, for a 4- to 8-week healing phase. Patients with endoscopically confirmed healing entered a 260-week maintenance phase with a once-daily starting dose of vonoprazan 10 mg or lansoprazole 15 mg. Primary endpoint was change in gastric mucosal histopathology.

RESULTS

Of 208 patients (vonoprazan, n = 139; lansoprazole, n = 69) entering the healing phase, 202 entered the maintenance phase (vonoprazan, n = 135; lansoprazole, n = 67). At 3 years, 109 vonoprazan-treated and 58 lansoprazole-treated patients remained on treatment. Histopathological evaluation of gastric mucosa showed that hyperplasia of parietal, foveolar and G cells was more common with vonoprazan than lansoprazole at week 156 of the maintenance phase. There was no marked increase in the occurrence of parietal, foveolar and G cell hyperplasia among patients in the vonoprazan group from week 48 to week 156. Histopathological evaluation of the gastric mucosa also showed no neoplastic changes in either group. No new safety issues were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

In this interim analysis of VISION, no new safety concerns were identified in Japanese patients with healed erosive oesophagitis receiving vonoprazan or lansoprazole as maintenance treatment for 3 years. (CT.gov identifier: NCT02679508; JapicCTI-163153; Japan Registry of Clinical Trials: jRCTs031180040).

Gastric Hyperplastic Polyps after Argon Plasma Coagulation for Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis: A Case Suggesting the "Gastrin Link Theory"

We herein report a case of gastric hyperplastic polyps after argon plasma coagulation (APC) for gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) in the antrum of a 65-year-old man with liver cirrhosis and hypergastrinemia induced by long-term proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use. Two years after APC therapy, endoscopy demonstrated multiple gastric polyps in the antrum and angle. A gastric polyp biopsy indicated foveolar epithelium hyperplasia, which was diagnosed as gastric hyperplastic polyps. One year after switching to an H2 blocker antagonist, endoscopy revealed that the polyps and GAVE had disappeared, with normal gastrin levels suggesting that PPI-induced hypergastrinemia had caused gastric hyperplastic polyps after APC therapy, and the polyps had disappeared after discontinuing PPIs.

Disappearance of Gastric Hyperplastic Polyps after the Discontinuation of Proton Pump Inhibitor in a Patient with Liver Cirrhosis

Here, we report on a rare case of gastric hyperplastic polyps which disappeared after the discontinuation of proton pump inhibitor (PPI). The patient was an 83-year-old woman with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension, along with gastroesophageal reflux disease treated by PPI. An initial upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed unique polypoid lesions in the greater curvature of the stomach. Biopsy specimens of the lesions were diagnosed as hyperplastic polyps and she was followed. One year later, a second endoscopy showed that the lesions had increased in number and size, and an endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) was performed for the main polyps. The resected specimens indicated a proliferation of foveolar epithelium cells with an increase of capillary ectasia and parietal cell hyperplasia, which was thought to be induced by hypergastrinemia from the PPI. Three months after the EMR, she was admitted because of bleeding from the remaining polyps along with an increase in new polyps. After conservative treatment, PPI was stopped and rebamipide was used. One year and 6 months later, an endoscopy showed the complete disappearance of all gastric polyps.

High Prevalence of Autoimmune Gastritis in Patients with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

Objective To evaluate the prevalence of autoimmune gastritis in patients with histologically proven nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Methods A total of 33 patients with NASH and 143 patients with chronic liver disease (66, 24, 22, 10, 1, and 21 patients with hepatitis C, hepatitis B, autoimmune hepatitis/primary biliary cholangitis, non-B/non-C hepatitis, fatty liver, and alcoholic disease, respectively) who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy between January 2013 and August 2016 were retrospectively assessed to determine the prevalence of autoimmune gastritis. The clinical characteristics of these patients with NASH and autoimmune gastritis were examined, and the clinical characteristic and biomarkers were compared between patients with NASH with and without autoimmune gastritis. Results Six of the 33 patients with NASH (19.4%) were diagnosed with autoimmune gastritis. The prevalence of autoimmune gastritis was higher in patients with NASH than in those with other chronic liver diseases [4/143 (2.8%), p=0.002]. All six patients with NASH and autoimmune gastritis exhibited high serum gastrin levels; five of the patients were positive for anti-parietal cell antibodies, and one was negative for anti-parietal cell antibodies but positive for intrinsic factor antibody. Furthermore, 1 patient presented with iron-deficiency anemia (hemoglobin <11 g/dL), but none developed pernicious anemia. Endocrine cell micronests were found in four patients. Patients with NASH and autoimmune gastritis tended to be older with lower ferritin levels than the other patients. Conclusion The prevalence of NASH with concomitant autoimmune gastritis was high, highlighting the need for upper endoscopy for the diagnosis of autoimmune gastritis and gastric malignancies.

Hyperplastic polyps arising in autoimmune metaplastic atrophic gastritis patients: is this a distinct clinicopathological entity?

OBJECTIVES

Gastric hyperplastic polyp (GHP) commonly arises in the abnormal surrounding mucosa, including autoimmune metaplastic atrophic gastritis (AMAG). We aimed to compare clinicopathological features in patients with GHPs associated with AMAG with those in patients with GHPs associated with non-AMAG.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 1170 patients with GHP(s) were enrolled, and their clinical and pathological data were analyzed, retrospectively.

RESULTS

The GHP patients were divided into 181 A-GHP (type A GHP, AMAG-associated GHP) participants, 312 B-GHP (type B GHP, Helicobacter pylori infection-associated GHP) participants, and 677 other GHP participants (non-A-GHP and non-B-GHP) based on pathological status of the surrounding non-polypoid mucosa. The A-GHP patients were older and predominantly female (p < .05). Gastroscopically, A-GHPs showed less distal and more multiple-region distribution in the stomach (p < .001). In addition, the A-GHPs were observed to be usually numerous (55.8%), larger (mean maximum diameter 12.3 mm), and more pedunculated or sub-pedunculated (45.3%) (p < .001). Histopathologically, the intestinal metaplasia, intraepithelial neoplasia, and carcinomatous transformation within GHPs were present in 24.3%, 9.9%, and 2.8% of AMAG patients, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the B-GHPs and other GHPs (p < .05). However, the differences of intraepithelial neoplasia and adenocarcinoma in surrounding non-polypoid mucosa did not reach statistical significance (p > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The GHP(s) arising in AMAG patients is a distinct subgroup of GHP(s) and was an important precancerous lesion. The biopsy from surrounding non-polypoid mucosa was essential to evaluate the underlying etiology of the GHPs, and endoscopists should pay attention to these.

Non-invasive method for the assessment of gastric acid secretion

Methods for the measure of gastric acid secretion include invasive and non-invasive tests. The gold-standard to measure the acid output is the collection of gastric after in basal condition (Basal Acid Output, B.A.O.) and after an i.m. injection of pentagastrin (Maximal Acid Output, M.A.O.). However, direct measurement of gastric acid production is out of order in clinical practice, but many GI symptoms are claimed to be related with acid disorders and empirically cured. Hypochlorhydria is associated with precancerous conditions such as chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG). Acid measurement with non-invasive methods (pepsinogens) is supported by international guidelines. (www.actabiomedica.it)

The relationship between iron deficiency in patients with Helicobacter pylori-infected nodular gastritis and the serum prohepcidin level

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is recognized as a causative agent for unexplained iron-deficiency anemia (IDA). We evaluated many background factors influencing an iron-deficiency state in adult patients with various H. pylori-infected upper gastrointestinal tract diseases.

METHOD

Study 1: H. pylori-infected 121 patients (nodular gastritis (NG) (n = 19), duodenal ulcer (DU) (n = 30), or gastric ulcer (GU) (n = 47), or gastric hyperplastic polyp (GHP) (n = 25)) were enrolled. The RBC count and hemoglobin, iron, ferritin, pepsinogen (PG) I, PG II, gastrin, and anti-H. pylori antibody (Ab) levels in the serum were measured. Study 2: H. pylori-infected 105 patients (NG, n = 19; DU, n = 43; GU, n = 32; GHP, n = 11) and non-H. pylori-infected individuals (n = 35) were examined for the levels of prohepcidin, ferritin, and iron in the serum. In addition, we measured the data before and after the H. pylori eradication.

RESULTS

In the patients with GHP and NG, hypoferritinemia was observed in comparison with the GU and DU patients. In the GHP patients, low levels of PG I, a decreased PG I/II ratio, and hypergastrinemia were observed. The levels of serum prohepcidin in the patients with H. pylori-associated disease were higher than those in the uninfected adults. In the patients with NG, the serum prohepcidin levels were higher than those in the other H. pylori-infected patient groups and decreased after the eradication.

CONCLUSION

H. pylori-related iron-deficiency state might be associated with several factors, such as hypochlorhydria and hepcidin, in patients with GHP or NG.

Cutoff serum pepsinogen values for predicting gastric acid secretion status

Measurement of the gastric acid secretion is useful for estimating the risk for various diseases in the upper gastro-intestinal tract; however, the procedure causes significant distress to the subjects. Pepsinogens I and II are secreted from the gastric fundic glands, and thus, the serum pepsinogen levels reflect the gastric functional statuses. The aim of this study is to establish appropriate serum pepsinogen cutoff points for predicting the gastric acid secretion status. In a total of 627 Japanese subjects, gastric acid secretion was measured with an endoscopic gastrin test, and the serum pepsinogen values and serum Helicobacter (H.) pylori-IgG antibody were also measured. After checking the correlation between gastric acid secretion and serum pepsinogen, the receiver operating characteristics analyses were employed for determining the most suitable cutoff points of serum pepsinogen for the gastric acid secretion status (i.e., hypochlorhydria, profound hypochlorhydria, and hyperchlorhydria). The pepsinogen I/II ratio and pepsinogen I showed the best correlation with gastric acid secretion in H. pylori-positive and H. pylori-negative subjects, respectively. The serum pepsinogen I/II ratio (or pepsinogen I in cases of H. pylori-negative subjects) was useful to determine the gastric acid secretion status with acceptable to outstanding diagnostic accuracy (the range of the area under the curve: 0.79-0.93). The diagnostic accuracy was further improved after stratifying the subjects by H. pylori-infection status. Estimating gastric acid secretion levels by simple measurement of serum pepsinogens will have significant clinical implications in estimating the risks for various diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract.

High expression of gastrin receptor protein in injured mucosa of Helicobacter pylori-positive gastritis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Gastrin is a growth factor for the gastric epithelial cells. However, it is unknown how gastric receptor (GR) expression is regulated in the gastric mucosa. We studied GR expression using a newly raised antibody and investigated the relationship between GR expression and gastritis.

METHODS

Gastric receptor expression in 63 human gastric mucosa was studied. Helicobacter pylori infection and histological gastritis status were evaluated in gastric biopsy samples. In gastric ulcer cases, additional biopsy specimens were taken from injured mucosa. Fasting sera were collected and serum gastrin level evaluated. MKN-28 cells were cultured at various pH conditions, and the change in GR expression was determined.

RESULTS

Gastric receptor expression was detected in the foveolar epithelium of the gastric mucosa, and its expression was stronger in patients infected with H. pylori. In particular, higher expression was detected in regenerating injured mucosa. There was no association between gastritis score/serum gastrin level and GR expression in H. pylori-positive cases. In MKN-28 cells, GR protein expression was lower in neutral conditions than in acidic or alkaline conditions.

CONCLUSION

Gastric mucosal injury with H. pylori infection destroys the pH barrier on the foveolar epithelium and may induce GR expression through pH changes.

Incidence and risk factor of fundic gland polyp and hyperplastic polyp in long-term proton pump inhibitor therapy: a prospective study in Japan

GOAL

To investigate the development of fundic gland polyp (FGP) and gastric hyperplastic polyp (HPP) during long-term proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy and risk factors of each polyp via patient status in a multicenter prospective study.

BACKGROUND

The risk of developing FGP may increase during long-term PPI therapy. However, the association with PPI-induced hypergastrinemia is unclear. Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection (which there is a high rate of in Japan) may influence the development of HPP.

METHODS

Reflux esophagitis patients on PPI maintenance therapy were enrolled. At baseline, the presence of protruding lesion (gastric polyps) and mucosal atrophy was examined endoscopically. The serum gastrin level (SGL) and Hp infection status were noted. The patients took rabeprazole 10 mg/day for 104 weeks and endoscopy was performed at weeks 24, 52, 76, and 104 to check for newly developed FGPs and HPPs. The hazard ratios (HRs) of risk factors were calculated.

RESULTS

191 patients were analyzed. The distribution of patients with baseline SGLs (pg/mL) of <200, >or=200 to <400, and >or=400 was 118 (61.8%), 51 (26.7%), and 22 (11.5%), respectively. 78 (40.8%) patients were Hp-positive, and gastric polyps were found in 70 (36.6%) patients. By the end of rabeprazole therapy, 26 (13.6%) and 17 (8.9%) patients had developed new FGPs and HPPs. In terms of risk factors, Hp-positive was significantly lower (HR=0.288; 95% CI, 0.108-0.764) for FGP while SGL>or=400 pg/mL was significantly higher (HR=4.923; 95% CI, 1.486-16.31) for HPP.

CONCLUSION

During long-term PPI therapy, FGP development was associated with absence of Hp infection. Meanwhile, Hp infection and high SGL may influence HPP development.

Alteration of correlation between serum pepsinogen concentrations and gastric acid secretion after H. pylori eradication

PURPOSE

The measurement of serum pepsinogens is clinically useful to represent gastric acid secretion. Since both serum pepsinogens and gastric acid secretion are considerably altered by H. pylori eradication, the correlation between these two parameters could be different prior to and after eradication. In this study, we investigated the correlation between the two parameters prior to and after eradication.

METHODS

One hundred eighteen H. pylori-positive patients with peptic ulcers or chronic gastritis were enrolled in this retrospective analysis. In all participants both the measurement of serum pepsinogens and the determination of gastric acid secretion were performed prior to and at 1 month after successful eradication. In 85 subjects, the same assessments were repeated at 7 months. Correlations between serum pepsinogens and gastric acid secretion were assessed using linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

The pepsinogen I/II ratio (r = 0.56) was a better indicator of gastric acid secretion in H. pylori-infected subjects than pepsinogen I itself (r = 0.31). Eradication of H. pylori altered the association, causing pepsinogen I (r = 0.55) to become a better indicator of gastric acid secretion compared with the pepsinogen I/II ratio (r = 0.40) at 1 month after eradication, followed by similar tendencies at 7 months.

CONCLUSION

Using different serum biomarkers (pepsinogen I/II ratio prior to eradication or pepsinogen I after eradication), the measurement of serum pepsinogens is useful for predicting the individual gastric acid secretion level not only in H. pylori-infected subjects, but also in subjects with histories of eradication of the infection.

High incidence of newly-developed gastroesophageal reflux disease in the Japanese community: a 6-year follow-up study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

We conducted a community-based study to assess the incidence of newly-developed gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). We also analyzed the risk factors of GERD occurrence.

METHODS

A total of 322 patients without acid suppression therapy (135 men, mean age: 59.8 years), who lived in the Japanese community, took a QUEST questionnaire (a self-administered questionnaire for the screening of GERD) in 1998. Blood samples were taken for the measurement of an anti-Helicobacter pylori antibody and pepsinogen (PG) I/II to assess the grade of gastric atrophy. Of these patients, 289 scored less than six points and were diagnosed as non-GERD. Two-hundred-and-forty-one patients (95 men, mean age: 67.0 years) took the QUEST questionnaire again in 2004 (after 6 years). The incidence of newly-developed GERD was analyzed. These patients were categorized into three groups based on their initial PG I/II (group A: less than three, group B: three to six, and group C: more than six). The risk factors of GERD occurrence were evaluated.

RESULTS

Of the 241 non-GERD patients, 37 patients (15.4%) developed GERD after 6 years. The incidence of newly-developed GERD in group C was significantly higher than both groups A and B (group A: 3.8% [three of 79], group B: 11.8% (11/93), group C: 33.3% (26/69), P < 0.01, respectively). The prevalence of H. pylori negativity, constipation, and medication of Ca antagonists in newly-developed GERD were significantly higher than in those who did not develop GERD. [Correction added after online publication on 1 July 2007: the preceding sentence has replaced one that read 'The prevalence of H. pylori negativity, constipation, and medication of Ca antagonists in newly-developed GERD were significantly higher than in those who did develop GERD.']

CONCLUSION

The incidence of newly-developed GERD in the Japanese community was 16.5% for 6 years. The incidence of newly-developed GERD patients who scored a PG I/II over six was significantly higher than those who scored lower. H. pylori negativity, constipation, and medication of Ca antagonists might be risk factors of GERD occurrence.

Clinical usefulness of gastric-juice analysis in 2007: the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone

BACKGROUND

Gastric juice is usually discarded during upper-GI endoscopy.

OBJECTIVE

By using a novel device, the Mt 21-42, we evaluated the potential of this important organic fluid in clinical practice, exploring its contribution to the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection and atrophic gastritis of the oxyntic mucosa (AGOM).

DESIGN AND PATIENTS

A multicenter study (17,907 patients; 10 endoscopy units) estimated the frequency of diagnosis of AGOM and H pylori infection in routine endoscopic practice. A prospective study (216 patients) at 1 of these units aimed to determine the real prevalence of these conditions and the possible benefits of gastric juice analysis. We considered gastric juice pH and ammonium concentration, endoscopic and histologic features, serologic parameters for atrophy and H pylori, gastric acid secretion, and costs.

RESULTS

We found that H pylori infection and, even more markedly, AGOM were greatly underdiagnosed in routine endoscopic practice (20.1% and 0.8% vs 49.1% and 12.5% in the prospective study, respectively), because of the intrinsic limitations of the conventional tests and lack/inappropriateness of biopsy planning. Gastric-juice analysis proved to be a cheap, simple, and effective way to prevent such underdiagnosis and allowed detection of atrophic gastritis and H pylori in 96% and 98% of cases, and saved costs (cost-effectiveness ratio 209 vs 274-5047).

CONCLUSIONS

Gastric juice provided a valuable source of clinicopathologic information that, properly analyzed, allowed detection of the main risk factors for gastric cancer (H pylori and atrophic gastritis), overcoming the diagnostic limitations associated with these conditions and also producing time and cost savings.

Long-term gastroesophageal reflux disease therapy improves reflux symptoms in elderly patients: five-year prospective study in community medicine

BACKGROUND

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) impairs the patient's quality of life (QOL), but the effect of long-term maintenance therapy in elderly patients is unknown.

METHODS

We conducted a long-term prospective study. Forty-four GERD patients (11 males; mean age 74 years; QUEST score of at least 6 points) were enrolled in this study. Step-down therapy was selected (proton-pump inhibitor [PPI], histamine-2 receptor antagonist and prokinetic agents for 1 month, respectively). Optimal medication for each patient was continued for 5 years. The efficacy, safety of treatment and reflux symptoms were analyzed. The profiles of the patients who had to continue PPI maintenance therapy were also analyzed.

RESULTS

Reflux symptoms were reduced by the PPI based step-down therapy (baseline 13.8 times/month, after 3.2 times/month, P < 0.001). Reflux symptoms improved in 34 patients (77%). None of the 44 patients had to cease treatment because of side-effects and none experienced any complications during the 5-year period. The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection in the PPI group (29%, 4/14) was significantly lower (P < 0.01) than in the other treatment group (72%, 21/29). The serum pepsinogen I/II ratio in the PPI treatment group (5.7 +/- 0.5) was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than in the others (4.0 +/- 0.3). The predictive factors for PPI maintenance therapy were Hp-negative status and serum pepsinogen I/II ratio >6.0 (odds ratio 12.0, 95% confidence interval 2.7-54.2).

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term medication for GERD selected on the basis of the patient's profile (i.e. Hp status and gastric atrophy) improved reflux symptoms.

Using serum pepsinogens wisely in a clinical practice

Serum pepsinogen (PG) has been used as biomarkers of gastric inflammation and mucosal status, including atrophic change, before the discovery of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Serum pepsinogen I (PG I) and pepsinogen II (PG II) levels are known to increase in the presence of H. pylori-related nonatrophic chronic gastritis. The measurement of serum PG provides much information on the presence of intestinal metaplasia as well as atrophic gastritis. The eradication of H. pylori provokes a significant change in serum PG values: it reduces both PG I and PG II and elevates the PG I to PG II ratio. Recently, the serum PG test method has been the first screening step in Japan, as well as photofluorography. Serum PG tests are used to screen for high risk subjects with atrophic gastritis, rather than as a test for cancer itself. Unlike photofluorography or endoscopy, serum PG screening can identify non-ulcerated differentiated asymptomatic cancer, irrespective of the size and location of the lesion. Most cases detected by the PG method are asymptomatic early gastric cancers and are limited to the mucosa, which are particularly well suited for endoscopic treatment. The PG method can contribute greatly to the patients' quality of life.

Serum pepsinogen concentrations as a measure of gastric acid secretion in Helicobacter pylori-negative and -positive Japanese subjects

BACKGROUND

Although previous studies have indicated that serum pepsinogen I levels, as well as the pepsinogen I/II ratio, were positively correlated with maximal gastric output, the relationship may be different between Helicobacter pylori-negative and -positive subjects. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between serum pepsinogen concentrations and gastric acid secretion in H. pylori-positive and -negative subjects separately.

METHODS

The presence of H. pylori infection, the serum pepsinogen concentrations, and gastric acid secretion were investigated in 182 subjects without localized lesions in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Serum pepsinogen concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay, and maximal gastric acid output was estimated by an endoscopic gastrin test, as we have previously shown.

RESULTS

In H. pylori-positive subjects, serum pepsinogen I levels and the pepsinogen I/II ratio were significantly correlated with gastric acid secretion, although the latter showed a better correlation (r=0.40 and 0.53, respectively). On the other hand, in H. pylori-negative subjects, serum pepsinogen concentrations were well correlated with acid secretion (r=0.57), but there was no relation between the pepsinogen I/II ratio and acid secretion.

CONCLUSIONS

The correlations between serum pepsinogens and gastric acid secretion differ, depending on the presence or absence of H. pylori infection. With the use of serum pepsinogens as a simple measure of gastric acid secretion, therefore, consideration of H. pylori infection status is needed. Because the determination of the acid secretory level has some clinical implications in both H. pylori-positive and -negative subjects, its estimation by serum pepsinogen concentrations can be of practical use.

Cardiac glands hyperplastic polyp of the stomach

Reported herein is a very rare polyp in the gastric cardia of a 49-year-old man. He was referred because of a polyp detected by upper gastrointestinal examination in an affiliated hospital. Endoscopic examination revealed a polyp-like submucosal tumor. Endoscopic ultrasonography revealed minute cystic dilatations and thickening of the submucosal layer. Accordingly, a preliminary diagnosis of cardiac gland hyperplasia was made. The lesion was removed successfully by snare polypectomy. Observed macroscopically, the polyp was 30 mm in diameter and covered with normal gastric mucosa. Examined histologically, the polyp comprised a hyperplastic submucosal cardiac gland.

Gastric acidity in patients with follicular gastritis is significantly reduced, but can be normalized after eradication for Helicobacter pylori

BACKGROUND

Follicular gastritis is thought to be caused by Helicobacter pylori infection. However, the pathophysiology of it remains unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We assessed gastric acidity in 15 patients with follicular gastritis, aged 20-37 years, using a 24-hour intragastric pH-metry, as well as by histologic and serologic evaluations; and compared it with that in other age-matched groups: 18 cases of H. pylori-positive antrum-predominant gastritis, 12 of pangastritis, and 24 H. pylori-negative normals. In eight cases with follicular gastritis, it was re-assessed 6 months after the eradication therapy for H. pylori.

RESULTS

During nighttime, the percentage of time with intragastric pH above 3.0 in follicular gastritis was significantly higher than that in normals (p<.0001), and in antrum-predominant gastritis (p<.001), but was comparable with that in pangastritis. In the daytime period, this parameter in follicular gastritis was significantly higher than that in normal (p<.001), in antrum-predominant gastritis (p<.001), and in pangastritis (p<.05). Marked mononuclear cell and neutrophil infiltration but no apparent glandular atrophy were observed in both the antrum and corpus. Serum pepsinogen I/II ratio was significantly lower in follicular gastritis than that in normals (p<.0001) and in antrum-predominant gastritis (p<.001), whereas serum gastrin was significantly higher than that in normals (p<.0001), in antrum-predominant gastritis (p<.01) and in pangastritis (p<.05). After eradication for H. pylori, all of the parameters in follicular gastritis were altered to the same ranges as those in normals.

CONCLUSIONS

In follicular gastritis, gastric acidity is significantly reduced, but can be normalized by eradication of H. pylori. It can thus be speculated that inflammatory cytokines or H. pylori-infection-induced prostaglandins might strongly inhibit gastric acid secretion in follicular gastritis.

Morphological changes in human gastric tumours after eradication therapy of Helicobacter pylori in a short-term follow-up

BACKGROUND

It is controversial as to whether the development of gastric cancer is influenced by Helicobacter pylori eradication. If eradication itself influences the tumour morphology, this may affect the tumour discovery rate.

AIM

To investigate the morphological changes in the gastric neoplasm after H. pylori eradication.

METHODS

We studied 37 patients with eradication therapy. After a 1-month follow-up, endoscopic re-evaluation was performed and the appearance was compared with first image. All lesions were resected endoscopically, and were subjected to histological assessment and to immunohistochemistry. Serum gastrin levels were determined before and after eradication.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine of 37 patients underwent successful eradication. The appearance of 11 lesions (33% of 33 lesions) became indistinct after successful eradication. All lesions were of the superficial-elevated type and the height of the lesions decreased. We detected normal columnar epithelium over the neoplasm in eight of the lesions. Higher expression of single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid in the deep area was characteristic in tumours with an indistinct appearance. These changes did not correlate with the serum gastrin levels.

CONCLUSIONS

The morphology of the gastric neoplasm change after eradication in the short-term. This may contribute to the decreased tumour discovery rate.

Gastric juice nitrite and vitamin C in patients with gastric cancer and atrophic gastritis: is low acidity solely responsible for cancer risk?

BACKGROUND

N-nitroso compounds are carcinogens formed from nitrite, a process that is inhibited by vitamin C in gastric juice. Helicobacter pylori infection has been reported to increase nitrite and decrease vitamin C in gastric juice. Therefore, susceptibility to gastric cancer in H. pylori-infected patients may be derived from increased N-nitroso compounds in gastric juice. However, most H. pylori-infected patients do not develop gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate additional factors that may affect susceptibility to gastric cancer, we compared nitrite and vitamin C levels in gastric juice from H. pylori-infected patients with and without gastric cancer.

METHODS

Serum and gastric juice were obtained from 95 patients undergoing diagnostic endoscopy, including those with normal findings, duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer, atrophic gastritis and gastric cancer. Serum was analysed for H. pylori antibody, nitrate and nitrite, gastrin and pepsinogens; gastric juice was analysed for pH, nitrite and vitamin C.

RESULTS

pH and nitrite levels were increased and vitamin C levels decreased in the gastric juice of patients with atrophic gastritis and gastric cancer compared with other patients. However, in patients with a similar gastric acidity (pH 5-8), nitrite concentrations in the gastric juice were significantly higher and vitamin C levels significantly lower in patients with gastric cancer than in those with atrophic gastritis.

CONCLUSION

Although hypochlorhydria increases intraluminal nitrite and decreases intraluminal vitamin C, which increases the intraluminal formation of N-nitroso compounds, our results indicate that patients with gastric cancer may have additional factors that emphasize these changes.

Benign gastric polyps: morphological and functional origin

The most common types of benign gastric polyps are fundic gland polyps, hyperplastic polyps, and adenomas. The aim of this study was to determine on which morphological and functional background benign gastric polyps develop. The study includes 85 consecutive patients with gastric polyps and sex- and age-matched controls without polyps selected at random from a general population sample. The type of polyp was hyperplastic in 52 (61%), fundic gland in 18 (21%), adenoma in 10 (12%), carcinoid in 2 (2%), hamartoma in 2 (2%), and inflammatory fibroid in 1 (1%) of the cases. Routine biopsies from the gastric corpus and antrum were examined for presence of gastritis and H. pylori. Blood samples were analyzed for H. pylori antibodies, H+,K+-ATPase antibodies, gastrin, and pepsinogen I. Patients with hyperplastic polyps had increased P-gastrin concentrations and S-H+,K+-ATPase antibody titers and decreased S-pepsinogen I concentrations with a high prevalence of atrophic corpus gastritis or pangastritis. A similar pattern was observed among patients with adenomas, whereas patients with fundic gland polyps had normal serology and a lower prevalence of gastritis and H. pylori infection than controls. In conclusion, hyperplastic polyps and adenomas are generally associated with atrophic gastritis. Patients with fundic gland polyps seem to have a sounder mucosa than controls. Whereas the risk of malignant gastric neoplasia is increased in patients with hyperplastic polyps or adenomas, this does not seem to be the case in patients with fundic gland polyps.

Hyperplastic polyps of the stomach: associations with histologic patterns of gastritis and gastric atrophy

Hyperplastic polyps are common gastric lesions characterized by hyperplastic foveolae with variable amounts of inflamed stroma. Their pathogenesis is unknown, but they have been reported to occur in association with various forms of chronic gastritis, particularly autoimmune gastritis and Helicobacter pylori gastritis. Comprehensive histologic evaluation of the background mucosal pathology in patients with hyperplastic polyps has not been previously performed. We studied 160 patients with gastric hyperplastic polyps and characterized endoscopic and histologic features of the polyps (i.e., location, multiplicity, and presence of dysplasia and adenocarcinoma) and the background gastric mucosa (i.e., intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia, carcinoma, and presence and classification of gastritis). Hyperplastic polyps were most common in the antrum (60%) and were multiple in 20% of patients. Focal intestinal metaplasia of the polyp was present in 16% and dysplasia in 4% of patients. Only one patient (0.6%) had adenocarcinoma within the polyp. Evaluation of the surrounding gastric mucosa showed at least focal intestinal metaplasia in 37% of patients, adenoma or low-grade flat epithelial dysplasia in 2%, and synchronous or metachronous adenocarcinoma in 6%. Eighty-five percent of patients had inflammatory mucosal pathology, most commonly active chronic H. pylori gastritis (25%), reactive or chemical gastropathy (21%), and metaplastic atrophic gastritis of the autoimmune (12%) or environmental (8%) type. These results indicate a strong association between various forms of gastritis and the development of hyperplastic polyps and further emphasize the importance of biopsy of the nonpolypoid gastric mucosa during endoscopic examination.

Increased prevalence of precancerous changes in relatives of gastric cancer patients: critical role of H. pylori

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Helicobacter pylori is believed to predispose to gastric cancer by inducing gastric atrophy and hypochlorhydria. First-degree relatives of patients with gastric cancer have an increased risk of developing gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of atrophy and hypochlorhydria and their association with H. pylori infection in first-degree relatives of patients with gastric cancer.

METHODS

H. pylori status, gastric secretory function, and gastric histology were studied in 100 first-degree relatives of patients with noncardia gastric cancer and compared with those of controls with no family history of this cancer.

RESULTS

Compared with healthy controls, relatives of patients with gastric cancer had a higher prevalence of hypochlorhydria (27% vs. 3%) but a similar prevalence of H. pylori infection (63% vs. 64%). Relatives of cancer patients also had a higher prevalence of atrophy (34%) than patients with nonulcer dyspepsia (5%) matched for H. pylori prevalence. Among the relatives of cancer patients, the prevalence of atrophy and hypochlorhydria was increased only in those with evidence of H. pylori infection, was greater in relatives of patients with familial cancer than in relatives of sporadic cancer index patients, and increased with age. Eradication of H. pylori infection produced resolution of the gastric inflammation in each subject and resolution of hypochlorhydria and atrophy in 50% of the subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Relatives of patients with gastric cancer have an increased prevalence of precancerous gastric abnormalities, but this increase is confined to those with H. pylori infection. Consequently, prophylactic eradication of the infection should be offered to such subjects.

The role of endoscopic findings for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection: evaluation in a country with high prevalence of atrophic gastritis

BACKGROUND

This study examines endoscopic findings in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in the Japanese population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The endoscopic findings (including gastric fold findings and degree of atrophy by the Kimura-Takemoto classification system), histologic severity of inflammation, and glandular atrophy were assessed according to the Sydney system in 642 patients (419 men; 223 women; mean age 43.5 years, range 13-86). H. pylori infection was evaluated by Giemsa staining and serum IgG antibodies.

RESULTS

391 of 642 patients (60.9%) were diagnosed as having endoscopic gastritis. Of the 391 patients with endoscopic gastritis, 318 (82.6%) had histologic gastritis and 310 (79.3%) had H. pylori infection. Of the 251 patients with endoscopically normal stomachs, 43 (17.1%) had histologic gastritis and 32 (12.7%) had H. pylori infection. Atrophic gastritis was the most prevalent finding (56.3%) among those with endoscopic gastritis. The prevalence of H. pylori infection in patients with atrophic gastritis (92.7%) and rugal hyperplastic gastritis (92.3%) was significantly higher than in those with other types of gastritis or with a normal stomach (12. 7%). A markedly high prevalence of H. pylori infection was found in subjects with tortuosity, hyperrugosity, and/or hyporugosity of the gastric folds.

CONCLUSIONS

The accurate endoscopic assessment of gastritis according to the Sydney system along with gastric fold findings and the endoscopically identified extent of gastric atrophy are valuable indicators for determining H. pylori infection and histologic gastritis in the Japanese population.

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori increases gastric acidity in patients with atrophic gastritis of the corpus-evaluation of 24-h pH monitoring

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have shown that the eradication of Helicobacter pylori results in a gastric acid secretion which decreases to normal levels in patients with duodenal ulcer disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of eradication of H. pylori in a 24-h study of gastric acidity in patients with atrophic gastritis of the corpus.

METHODS

Intragastric acidity was measured by continuous 24-h pH monitoring, and the histology of the gastric antrum and corpus were evaluated in 14 H. pylori-positive patients with histologically proven atrophic gastritis of the corpus (10 men, 4 women; mean age, 57 years) before and 1 year after anti-H. pylori therapy.

RESULTS

H. pylori was absent in 13 of 14 patients 1 year after treatment. Both gastritis and atrophy scores were significantly lower after eradication therapy (P < 0.01). The 24-h median pH and the percentage of 24-h pH readings above 4.0 units were significantly decreased after eradication therapy (from 5.12 +/- 0.36 to 2.69 +/- 0.21, and from 65.5 +/- 6.6% to 28.2 +/- 6.1%, P < 0.01, respectively.)

CONCLUSION

Eradication of H. pylori increases 24-h gastric acidity in patients with atrophic gastritis of the corpus. Improvement of the histology of the gastric antrum and corpus may lead to the normalization of gastric acidity.

Helicobacter pylori infection and fasting serum gastrin levels in a series of endoscopically diagnosed gastric polyps

The occurrence of H. pylori infection and the levels of fasting serum gastrin (SEGA) were examined in 97 patients with different morphological types of endoscopically diagnosed gastric polyps. According to the histology of the polyps the series was divided into three groups: inflammatory polyps (43 cases), polyps with foveolar hyperplasia (25 cases), and hyperplastic polyps including adenomas (29 cases). The prevalence of H. pylori infection was significantly lower in patients with hyperplastic polyps (45%) and foveolar hyperplasia (48%) than in the group with inflammatory polyps (81%). SEGA levels were higher in patients with hyperplastic polyps (mean +/- sd: 335 +/- 298 pmol/l) and foveolar hyperplasia (183 +/- 216) than in patients with inflammatory polyps (89 +/- 127). Signs of so-called "autoimmune" gastric, i.e. corpus atrophy and presence of parietal cell antibodies, were commonly found in patients with hyperplastic polyps and foveolar hyperplasia, but rarely in patients with inflammatory polyps. These results suggest that the polyps with hyperplastic changes (hyperplastic polyps and foveolar hyperplasia) are in some of the cases closely related to autoimmune gastritis. The presence of corpus atrophy, hypoacidity and various types of metaplasia, which characterizes autoimmune gastritis, could explain the low prevalence of H. pylori and the high SEGA levels found in these patients.