Superoxide-dismutase activity of the gastric mucosa in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection.

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori (HP) is a pathogenic factor in the development of different alterations in the gastric mucosa. Superoxide-dismutase (SOD) is a key enzyme of mucosal antioxidant protection. We have detected changes in the activity of mucosal SOD in different diseases caused by HP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Biopsies were taken upon gastroscopy (n = 131). Activity of SOD was measured by photometry, referred to the amount of protein in the sample.

RESULTS

SOD activity of the antrum of HP-positive patients was significantly higher than that of HP-negative ones. There was a significant increase in erosive gastritis.

CONCLUSION

In the presence of HP there was a significant increase of the SOD activity in the antrum but not in the corpus. In chronic antral gastritis there was a positive relationship between the SOD activity and both the severity and activity of inflammation. We presume that HP-associated gastritis is predominant in the antrum.