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Helicobacter pylori
Gastric leptin and Helicobacter pyloriinfection
  1. T Azumaa,
  2. H Sutoa,
  3. Y Itoa,
  4. M Ohtania,
  5. M Dojoa,
  6. M Kuriyamaa,
  7. T Katob
  1. aSecond Department of Internal Medicine, Fukui Medical University, Fukui, Japan, bFaculty of Nursing and Welfare, Fukui Prefectural University, Fukui, Japan
  1. Dr T Azuma, Second Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Fukui Medical University, Matsuoka-cho, Yoshida-gun, Fukui 910-1193, Japan.azuma{at}fmsrsa.fukui-med.ac.jp

Abstract

BACKGROUND Leptin regulates feeding behaviour and therefore may be a mediator of anorexia associated with acute and chronic inflammation. Recently, leptin mRNA and leptin protein were found in the gastric epithelium.

AIM The aim of the present study was to examine the effect ofHelicobacter pylori infection on gastric leptin expression to investigate the pathophysiological role of gastric leptin.

METHODS Surgically resected human stomach tissues were subjected to immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to check for the presence of leptin in the human gastric epithelium. A total of 201 H pyloripositive patients with chronic gastritis underwent eradication therapy for H pylori and were examined for the effect of infection cure in terms of body mass index (BMI) and serum leptin levels. Biopsy specimens from the gastric fundic mucosa were obtained from 40 of the 201 patients before and three months after eradication therapy. These samples were subjected to quantitative RT-PCR to examine the effect of eradication therapy on leptin expression in the gastric fundic mucosa.

RESULTS Leptin immunoreactive cells were detected in the lower half of the gastric fundic glands and a leptin PCR product was also found in the gastric fundic mucosa. H pylori infection significantly increased gastric leptin expression. In addition, cure ofH pylori infection significantly reduced gastric leptin expression, with a concomitant increase in BMI. In contrast, serum leptin levels did not change significantly after cure of H pylori infection.

CONCLUSION Leptin is present in the human gastric mucosa. Gastric leptin may play a role in weight gain after eradication of H pyloriinfection. Gastric leptin may have a local rather than systemic action.

  • Helicobacter pylori
  • leptin
  • gastric mucosa
  • body mass index
  • gastritis

  • Abbreviations used in this paper

    RT-PCR
    reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction
    CCK
    cholecystokinin
    BMI
    body mass index
    UBT
    urea breath test
    GAPDH
    glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase
    TNF
    tumour necrosis factor
    IL
    interleukin

    • https://doi.org/10.1136/gut.49.3.324

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    • Abbreviations used in this paper

      RT-PCR
      reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction
      CCK
      cholecystokinin
      BMI
      body mass index
      UBT
      urea breath test
      GAPDH
      glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase
      TNF
      tumour necrosis factor
      IL
      interleukin
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