Changes of gastric mucosal mast cells in patients with functional dyspepsia after Hylicobacter pylori infection

Abstract

Objective To investigate the changes of gastric mucosal mast cells in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) after Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) infection, and to explore the correlation between the changes and dyspeptic symptoms. Methods From November 2012 to March 2014, 32 patients with FD and 16 asymptomatic patients (control group) from Beijing Jishuitan Hospital were enrolled. H. pylori infection situation was examined. The mucosal biopsies from gastric antrum and gastric body were taken for histological examination. The mast cells of gastric mucosa were detected by immunohistochemical stain. T test was performed for statistical analysis. Results Among 32 FD patients, 17 had H. pylori infection (one with gastric body involved, two with gastric antrum involved, 14 with both gastric antrum and gastric body involved), and 15 had no H. pylori infection. Among 16 asymptomatic patients, 12 had H. pylori infection and four had no H. pylori infection. Among FD patients, the percentage of degranulated mast cells in gastric mucosa with H. pylori infection group was (61.45±24.86)%, which was higher than that without H. pylori infection group ((48.34±21.63)%), and the difference was statistically significant (t=-2.145, P=0.036). The percentage of degranulated mast cells in gastric mucosa with H. pylori infection group was (29.73±12.99)%, which was higher than that without H. pylori infection group ((20.77±10.86)%), and the difference was statistically significant (t=-2.856, P=0.006). In H. pylori infection group, the percentage of degranulated mast cells in gastric body mucosa of FD patients was (66.99±18.85)%, which was higher than that of asymptomatic patients in control group ((46.77±8.43)%), and the difference was statistically significant (t=3.642, P=0.002). The ratio of degranulated mast cells in gastric body mucosa and the density of mast cells in gastric antrum mucosa of prandial distress syndrome (PDS) patients, the density of mast cells in gastric body mucosa of epigastric pain syndrome (EPS) patients and the ratio of degranulated mast cells in gastric body mucosa and the degree of degranulation of mast cells of PDS and EPS patients were all higher than those of asymptomatic patients in control group, and the differences were statistically significant (t=2.750, 3.601, 2.799, 9.522 and 5.755, all P<0.05). Conclusions The dyspeptic symptoms of FD patients with H. pylori infection is correlated with the changes of mast cells. With the infection of H. pylori, dyspeptic symptoms of different subtypes of FD may be correlated with the changes of mast cells in different gastric region. H. pylori infection may cause the dyspeptic symptoms of FD patients by increase the number and activation of mast cells. Key words: Helicobacter pylori; Mast cells; Functional dyspepsia; Dyspeptic symptom