Korean J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr.  2002 Mar;5(1):1-10.

Gastric Epithelial Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis in Children with Helicobacter pylori Infection

• Jung JA
• Zhe J
• Han WS
• Seo JW

Abstract

PURPOSE: Dysregulation of gastric epithelial cell proliferation and apoptosis are important in development of ulcer, atrophy and neoplasia in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of infection of H. pylori on gastric epithelial cell proliferation and apoptosis in children.
METHODS
Histological grading by updated Sydney system, PCNA immunostaining and TUNEL method were performed in H. pylori positive (N=58) and negative (N=40) gastric biopsy specimens.
RESULTS
In H. pylori positive children, there were significantly higher grade of polymorphonuclear neutrophil activity (P=0.000), chronic inflammation (P=0.000), epithelial damage (P=0.000) and lymphoid follicles (P=0.000) than in H. pylori negative children. Intestinal metaplasia was not seen in H. pylori positive children. PCNA index was significantly different between H. pylori positive children (67.8+/-18.13) and H. pylori negative children (54.8+/-14.46, P=0.000). There was positive correlation between PCNA index and H. pylori density (r=0.277, P=0.007), polymorphonuclear neutrophil activity (r=0.280, P=0.007) and chronic inflammation (r=0.284, P=0.006). Apoptosis index of H. pylori positive children (0.44+/-0.447) was significantly higher than of H. pylori negative children (0.14+/-0.196, P=0.000). There was positive correlation between apoptosis index and H. pylori density (r=0.472, P=0.000), polymorphonuclear neutrophil activity (r=0.370, P=0.001) and chronic inflammation (r=0.483, P=0.000). There was positive correlation between PCNA index and apoptosis index (r=0.353, P=0.003).
CONCLUSION
The PCNA and apoptosis index in H. pylori positive children were significantly higher than in H. pylori negative children. This study suggested that gastric epithelial cell proliferation and apoptosis are important to pathogenesis of H. pylori infection in children.

Keyword

Helicobacter pylori; Gastric epithelial cell; Proliferation; Apoptosis; Chidren

MeSH Terms

Apoptosis*
Atrophy
Biopsy
Child*
Epithelial Cells*
Helicobacter pylori*
Helicobacter*
Humans
In Situ Nick-End Labeling
Inflammation
Metaplasia
Neutrophils
Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen
Ulcer
Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen