Preliminary observations in the fasting serum gastrin in patients with duodenal ulcer; further evidence of the "clearing" effect of omeprazole on H pylori?

Thirty patients with active duodenal ulcer who were Helicobacter pylori positive (HP+) by HLO test and by histology (Giemsa stain) were given omeprazole (OME) 20 mg/d for a two-week period. Estimation of fasting serum gastrin concentration (RIA) was performed before treatment and 24 hours after the last dosage of OME, and HP was searched for an antral biopsies at the end of the treatment as well. Mean fasting serum gastrin concentration increased significantly after treatment in all patients studied (p less than 0.05). However, the increase remained significant only in those patients who continued to be HP+ while no significant increase was observed in those who became HP-. The results could be considered as further evidence of the 'clearing' effect of Omeprazole on HP.