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Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a widespread bacterial pathogen, is associated with various gastrointestinal diseases, including gastric cancer. Statins, widely prescribed cholesterol-lowering agents, have demonstrated pleiotropic effects, including potential antimicrobial properties. This in vitro study investigated the direct antibacterial effects of three clinically approved statins, simvastatin, atorvastatin, and rosuvastatin, against H. pylori isolates. Methods: H. pylori strains were isolated from gastric biopsies of dyspeptic patients and identified by microbiological techniques. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of statins were determined using the agar dilution method, and their antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the disc diffusion method using different concentrations of simvastatin, atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, tetracycline, and amoxicillin. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to examine the morphology of H. pylori cells. Results: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values (µg/mL) of atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin, tetracycline, and amoxicillin against H. pylori were 240 ± 20, 450 ± 20, 460 ± 15, 155 ± 30, and 140 ± 20, respectively. In the disc diffusion assay, atorvastatin and rosuvastatin produced significantly larger inhibition zones compared to simvastatin at all concentrations tested (p < 0.05). The inhibition zone diameters (mm) increased with higher statin concentrations, ranging from 9 ± 1.4 to 13 ± 1.4 for atorvastatin, 8 ± 0.9 to 11 ± 0.6 for rosuvastatin, and 5 ± 1.3 to 6 ± 1.4 for simvastatin at the highest tested concentration (1200 µg/ml). SEM analysis revealed the characteristic spiral morphology of H. pylori cells. Conclusion: Statins demonstrated varying degrees of antibacterial activity against H. pylori isolates, with atorvastatin exhibiting the highest potency. While the observed effects were lower than those of conventional antibiotics, these findings suggest the potential of statins as adjunctive agents or alternative therapeutic options, warranting further investigation through in vivo studies and clinical trials.
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Background: Helicobacter pylori infection is the most common cause of peptic ulcer disease. However, the prevalence rates of non-helicobacter pylori idiopathic peptic ulcers have increased over the past few years. This study aims to compare the characteristics of Helicobacter pylori-positive with idiopathic duodenal ulcers. Methods: A cross-sectional cohort study was conducted on 950 patients which were excluded from the analysis process duo to the concomitant presence of gastric ulcer, malignancy, Zollinger Ellison syndrome, Crohn's disease, esophageal varices, history of taking anti-Helicobacter pylori therapy, and history of taking NSAID or aspirin. Eventually, 647 subjects were enrolled for the analysis process. In this case, these subjects were divided into two groups: (I) Helicobacter pylori-positive ulcer group and (II) Helicobacter pylori-negative and non-NSAID (idiopathic) ulcer group. Results: The findings showed that 417 patients (64.5%) had duodenal ulcers induced by Helicobacter pylori, and 111 patients (17.1%) had Helicobacter pylori-negative and non-NSAID ulcers. The mean ages of patients in Helicobacter pylori-positive and idiopathic ulcer groups were 39±15 and 42±17, respectively. In this case, 33 patients (29.7%) with idiopathic ulcers and 56 patients (25.1%) with Helicobacter pylori-positive ulcers had upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Also, 22 patients (21%) with idiopathic ulcers and 31 patients (16.5%) with Helicobacter pylori-positive ulcers had multiple duodenal ulcers. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that the idiopathic ulcers included 17.1% of duodenal ulcers. Also, it was concluded that patients with idiopathic ulcers were predominantly male with an age range older than the other group. In addition, patients in this group had more ulcers.
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5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent, and its uncontrolled blood levels contribute to toxicity. Quercetin, as an important flavonoid, has many biological effects, including anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory features. The current study investigated the synergistic effect between 5-FU and quercetin using HT-29 cell line and fibroblast cells. Rats were assigned to two groups. The 5-FU/quercetin group received intraperitoneal quercetin (10 mg/kg) and the Tween was injected to the control group for 14 consecutive days. On the 15th day, both groups received 50 mg/kg of 5-FU. Upon the final injection, blood samples were obtained at different times. Pharmacokinetic parameters were evaluated using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The mean (±SD) of maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of 5-FU in combination therapy group was 3.10 ± 0.18 µg/ml and the area under the curve (AUC) was 153.89 ± 21.36, which increased by 113% and 128% compared to control group, respectively. Quercetin increased anti-tumor activity of 5-FU and enhanced Cmax and AUC of 5-FU. These findings confirm the synergistic effects between quercetin and 5-FU at the usual doses in cancer treatment, which may lead to reduced toxicity.
