Age and Helicobacter pylori decrease gastric mucosal surface hydrophobicity independently

Abstract

Background-Gastric mucosal surface hydrophobicity (GMSH) is an essential component of the mucosal defence system that is decreased by Helicobacter pylori and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Gastric ulcers occur predominantly in elderly subjects, and may thus reflect diminished mucosal resistance. Aims-To investigate whether aging decreases GMSH. Patients-One hundred and twenty patients without peptic ulcer disease were divided into three age groups: I (41 years or below); II (41-64 years); and III (65 years or above). Methods-Biopsy specimens were taken from the antrum, corpus, and cardia for histology (Sydney system), urease testing for H pylori, and for contact angle measurement of GMSH with a goniometer. The presence of specific H pylori antibodies was checked by immunoblotting. Results-Fifty two patients (43%) were infected, and 68 were uninfected with H pylori. GMSH at all biopsy sites was lower in H pylori infected subjects (p=0.0001), but also decreased with age independently of infection status (p=0.0001). The most notable decrease in GMSH occurred between age groups I and II in those with, and between age groups II and III in those without, H pylori infection. GMSH was greater in antral than in corpus mucosa in both infected (p=0.0001) and uninfected patients (p=0.0003). Conclusions-A physiological decrease in GMSH with aging may contribute to the risk of ulcer development in the elderly, and may act synergistically with H pylori and/or NSAIDs on gastric mucosal defence. (Gut 1998;43:465-469)

Bio-physical characteristics of gastrointestinal mucosa of celiac patients: comparison with control subjects and effect of gluten free diet-

“…These differences cannot be accounted by artefacts due to Helicobacter pylori infection and by differences in age, as reported by others for gastric biopsies [29], because there was no relationship in our patients and in controls between these parameters and duodenal CA. Furthermore, the younger age of our CD compared with controls should point, if anything, to a higher CA, an opposite effect of what we have found.…”

pH-Activated Phospholipase A 2 : an Important Mucosal Barrier Breaker in Peptic Ulcer Disease

“…A physiological decrease in gastric mucosal surface hydrophobicit y and gel thickness with age may increase the risk of ulcer development by H. pylori and/or NSAIDs in the elderly population (27,56). As long as the gastritis is limited to the antrum, acid production will be high because there is little or no in ammation in the body and fundus where the acid is produced.…”

Antiinflamatory Agents Less Dangerous for Gastrointestinal Tract

“…Hydrophobicity correlates with infection density but not with mucus lipid levels [47). A physiological decrease in GMSH with aging may contribute to the risk of ulcer development in the elderly, and may act simultaneously with H pylori and/or NSAIDs on gastric mucosal defense [48].…”