Expression of tryptophan hydroxylase in gastric mucosa in symptomatic and asymptomatic Helicobacter pylori infection.

Abstract

IntroductionHelicobacter pylori infection induces clinical symptoms in 15–20% of subjects, and the reason for this variation is still not clear. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the expression of tryptophan hydroxylase (TpH-1) in gastric mucosa of patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic H. pylori infection in relation to the intensity of bacterial colonization and severity of dyspeptic symptoms.Material and methodsNinety subjects (aged 35–49 years) were enrolled in the study and separated into 3 groups of 30 subjects each. Group I – healthy volunteers without H. pylori infection, group II – subjects with asymptomatic H. pylori infection, group III – H. pylori-infected patients with dyspeptic symptoms, mainly fasting and nocturnal epigastric pain. To diagnose H. pylori infection the urea breath test (UBT-13C) and histological analysis were performed. The level of mRNA expression of tryptophan hydroxylase (TpH-1) was estimated in gastric mucosa with RT-PCR.ResultsThe expression of this enzyme in antral mucosa was 2.69 ±0.97 in group I, 2.28 ±0.69 in group II (p > 0.05) and 4.40 ±1.64 in group III (p < 0.001). The levels of expression of TpH-1 in gastric body mucosa were 2.16 ±0.70, 1.57 ±0.52 (p > 0.05) and 3.40 ±1.51 (p < 0.001), respectively. In group III a positive correlation was found between intensity of H. pylori colonization and TpH-1 expression as well as between TpH-1 expression and severity of dyspeptic symptoms.ConclusionsIncreased expression of TpH-1 in gastric mucosa plays a role in pathogenesis of chronic dyspepsia.