AgNOR and rasp21 expression in gastric mucosal lesions caused by Helicobacter pylori infection.

AIM: To investigate AgNOR and rasp21 expression levels in gastric mucosal lesions caused by Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection in order to gain insight into the related biological processes (i.e. tumor-like behavior) and possible underlying mechanism supporting Hp pathogenesis.

METHODS

Hp infection was diagnosed in using the standard Campylobacter-like organism test along with Wathin-Starry staining. The expression of AgNOR was detected by the silver colloid staining technique. The expression of rasp21 was detected by monoclonal antibody and immunohistochemical staining using the ABC method. The study included a total of 278 patients with endoscopically- and pathologically-confirmed gastric mucosal lesions, representing chronic superficial gastritis (CSG), chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia, and gastric cancer. Among these, 146 of the patients were Hp-positive and 132 were Hp-negative.

RESULTS

The Hp-positive group of patients showed significantly greater AgNOR in the gastric mucosal lesions than the Hp-negative group, with the exception of the CSG sub-group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The positive rate of rasp21 expression in gastric mucosal lesions in the Hp-positive group was also significantly higher than that in the Hp-negative group, with the exception of the CSG and CAG sub-groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Hp-positive gastric mucosal lesions show biological behaviour of tumors. Hp may act as a promoter to activate the ras gene and to stimulate cell over-proliferation.