Hypoacidity combined with high gastric juice nitrite induced by Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with gastric cancer.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In patients with Helicobacter pylori infection, the concentration of nitrite in gastric juice is elevated. The degree of elevation correlates with that of inflammation and H. pylori density. AIM: The aim of this study was to examine hypoacidity and high nitrite levels related to H. pylori infection in patients with gastric cancer. METHODS: We studied 88 patients with more than one history of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for early gastric cancer and 88 age-matched controls. Concentration of nitrite in gastric juice was measured by Griess reaction, and serum pepsinogen levels were measured by RIA. RESULTS: Multiple malignant lesions were found in 20 of the 88 patients. Serum gastrin, gastric juice pH and nitrite levels in patients with gastric cancer were significantly higher and pepsinogen I and pepsinogen I/II significantly lower than in control subjects. Pepsinogen I level and I/II ratio were lower and gastric juice pH was higher in the protruded-type group than in the depressed-type group. Pepsinogen I and pepsinogen I/II were lower and gastric juice pH was higher in multiple than in single cases. CONCLUSIONS: Hypoacidity combined with high gastric juice nitrite induced by H. pylori infection is associated with the intestinal type of gastric cancer, especially protruded lesions.