Gastric and duodenal mucosal protein fractional synthesis and growth factor expression in patients with H. pylori-associated gastritis before and after eradication of the organism.

Our purpose was to study the effect of Helicobacter pylori (HP) on mucosal protein fractional synthesis (MPFS) and growth factor expression. 14C-leucine incorporation, and TGF-alpha, beta-FGF, and EGF-receptor levels were assessed in gastric and duodenal mucosa in 20 patients with HP-associated gastritis and repeated after treatment of the gastritis, with or without eradication of the organism. At entry, MPFS in the fundus, antrum, and duodenum was 43.1, 38.2, and 28.3%/day, respectively. Following HP eradication, fundal and antral rates fell to 28.1 and 21.4%/day (P < 0.05), whereas the duodenum was unchanged. MPFS in the patient subset not eradicated remained similar to entry values (35.9, 31.6, and 25.4%/day). Expression of TGF-alpha, beta-FGF, and EGF receptors was unchanged. Eradication of HP results in reduction of gastric, but not duodenal, MPFS and has no effect on the growth factors measured. Increased MPFS associated with HP gastritis may relate to the potential for neoplastic transformation.