Expression of antral gastrin and somatostatin mRNA in Helicobacter pylori-infected subjects.

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the gene expression of antral gastrin and somatostatin in Helicobacter pylori-infected subjects. Twelve asymptomatic men with normal endoscopic findings participated in this study, four of whom were infected with H. pylori.

METHODS

Biopsy specimens of the gastric mucosa were obtained after subjects had fasted overnight. Serum gastrin levels, antral gastrin and somatostatin content, and antral G- and D-cell densities also were measured.

RESULTS

Fasting serum gastrin levels were significantly higher in H. pylori-positive subjects than in H. pylori-negative subjects. There were no differences between groups in antral gastrin content, G-cell density, or gastrin mRNA levels. Antral somatostatin content, D-cell density, somatostatin mRNA levels, and the somatostatin mRNA:D-cell density ratio were significantly decreased in H. pylori-positive subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that in addition to reduced antral D-cell density, a suppression of somatostatin synthesis in D-cells may have contributed to the decrease in antral somatostatin in H. pylori-infected subjects.