Background and aims: Matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) is important in normal and pathological remodelling of epithelial-matrix interactions, and is upregulated in gastric cancer. Helicobacter pylori infection is the first stage in gastric carcinogenesis, and therefore our aim was to determine if H pylori upregulated gastric MMP-7 expression and if this was affected by strain virulence. Methods: We took gastric biopsy specimens at endoscopy from H pylori infected (n = 17) and uninfected (n = 18) patients and assessed MMP-7 expression by ELISA, real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and immunohistochemistry (concentrating on epithelial cells in the proliferative zone). We PCR typed H pylori for cagE and vacA. We performed H pylori/cell line coculture studies with wild-type pathogenic and non-pathogenic H pylori strains and with CagE 2 and VacA 2 isogenic mutants. Results: Gastric biopsy specimens from H pylori+ patients expressed higher levels of MMP-7 at the protein and mRNA levels in the antrum and corpus (for example, by ELISA: H pylori+ 0.182 OD units v H pylori2 0.059; p = 0.009 antrum). Epithelial cells from H pylori+ patients stained more intensely for MMP-7 than those from uninfected patients, including in the proliferative zone containing pluripotent cells (p,0.03 antrum, p,0.04 body). Upregulation of MMP-7 in epithelial cells was confirmed at the protein and mRNA levels by H pylori/cell line coculture. These experiments also showed that MMP-7 upregulation was dependent on an intact H pylori cag pathogenicity island but not on the vacuolating cytotoxin. Conclusion: We speculate that increased expression of MMP-7 in H pylori gastritis may contribute to gastric carcinogenesis.

Background: Cyclooxygenase inhibiting nitric oxide donators (CINODs) are a new class of antiinflammatory and analgesic drugs that may minimise gastrointestinal toxicity compared with standard non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) by virtue of nitric oxide donation. Methods: A proof of concept study of the gastrointestinal safety of AZD3582, the first CINOD available for human testing, was conducted. Thirty one subjects were randomised to receive placebo, naproxen 500 mg twice daily, or its nitroxybutyl derivative AZD3582 in an equimolar dose (750 mg twice daily) for 12 days in a double blind three period crossover volunteer study. At the start and end of each dosing period, gastroduodenal injury was assessed by endoscopy and small bowel permeability by differential urinary excretion of lactulose and L-rhamnose. Pharmacokinetic profiles were assessed at steady state. Results: On naproxen, the mean total number of gastroduodenal erosions was 11.5 (and one subject developed an acute ulcer) versus 4.1 on AZD3582 (p,0.0001). More than half of the subjects had no erosions on AZD3582. Differences were seen for both the stomach and duodenum. Naproxen increased intestinal permeability (lactulose:L-rhamnose ratio 0.030 before v 0.040 after treatment) whereas AZD3582 (0.029 before, 0.029 after; p = 0.006 v naproxen) and placebo (0.030 before, 0.028 after; p,0.001 v naproxen) did not. The steady state bioavailability of naproxen metabolised from AZD3582 was 95% (95% confidence interval 87-101%) of that after naproxen administration. Conclusions: This human study supports animal data showing reduced gastrointestinal toxicity with the CINOD AZD3582. The potential combination of effective pain relief and gastrointestinal protection offered by AZD3582 warrants further evaluation in human clinical studies.

SUMMARY BackgroundCoeliac disease affects up to 1% of the population and the British Society of Gastroenterology recommends long-term follow-up of these patients, although the absolute risk of complications is small.

SUMMARYBackground: Details of the efficacy of the drugs used in ulcerative colitis are not readily available. Methods:We have reviewed all placebo-controlled trials of the commonly used drugs for both induction and maintenance of remission to determine the efficacy and to calculate the numbers needed to treat (NNTs) to achieve a specified benefit for each drug. Results: The drug response rates and the NNTs (with 95% CI) are tabulated for each drug. Conclusion: Corticosteroids give a remission rate of 68% in mild or moderate disease and an NNT for remission of

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