Serum and tissue beta-2 microglobulin levels in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Beta-2 microglobulin (beta2-m) is a minor plasma protein, secreted from the plasma membranes as a result of the continuous regeneration of membrane proteins in the cell surface of all nucleated cells. The relationship between Helicobacter pylori and beta2-m has not been adequately established in studies. In this study, we aimed to compare the levels of serum and tissue beta2-m in patients with and without H. pylori infection, and to examine the relationship between levels of serum and tissue beta2-m.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

About 30 patients with H. pylori gastritis and 22 healthy persons were enrolled in this study. Gastric biopsies were histologically analyzed and compared according to tissue and serum beta2-m levels.

RESULTS

Serum beta2-m levels were comparable in H. pylori and control groups. There was no significant link between tissue H. pylori grade and serum beta2-m levels. Subendothelial beta2-m was detected in 19 (63.3%) cases with H. pylori and none of the control group with immunohistochemical staining (P < 0.001). There was no correlation between serum and tissue levels of beta2-m.

CONCLUSION

beta2-m accumulates in the majority of gastric tissues of patients with active chronic gastritis who were H. pylori (+), whereas no accumulation was found in H. pylori (-) control subjects.