Helicobacter pylori Infection is Associated with Elevated Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels in Elderly Koreans

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the association between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and the lipid profile among elderly Koreans. A total of 462 subjects (mean age 66.2 ± 7.6 yr, 84% males) who underwent health check-up were investigated. Each subject underwent gastroduodenoscopy with gastric mucosal biopsy, and H. pylori infection was determined by histopathological examination using the updated Sydney System score. The presence of H. pylori infection was significantly associated with the elevated serum levels of total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (P < 0.05 for each) in univariate analysis. H. pylori infection was not associated with triglyceride and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels (P > 0.05 for each). After controlling confounders, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratio of H. pylori infection for high LDL cholesterol level (> 140 mg/dL) was 3.113 (95% confidence interval, 1.364-7.018; P = 0.007). There were no significant associations between the presence of H. pylori infection and elevated total cholesterol levels (> 200 mg/dL) in this model (P = 0.586). The results of this study demonstrate that H. pylori infection is associated with the elevated serum LDL cholesterol levels in elderly Koreans, supporting the hypothesis that H. pylori plays a role in promoting atherosclerosis by modifying lipid metabolism.

Impact of &lt;i&gt;Helicobacter pylori&lt;/i&gt; Infection on Serum Lipid Profile and Atherosclerosis of Carotid Artery

“…In the present study, HDL-C level was significantly lower in patients (H. pylori seropositive) than in controls (seronegative subjects), total cholesterol, LDL-C and triglyceride level were found to be significantly higher in patients than in controls (P < 0.01). Concerning the changes in serum lipids in seropositive subjects, the results of our study were similar to other studies [14] [17]- [21]. Buzás reported that the increase of cholesterol and LDL-C and decrease of HDL-C levels of infected people creates an atherogenic lipid profile which could promote atherosclerosis with its complications [12].…”

Extragastric Manifestations of Helicobacter pylori Infection

“…A very interesting study on 462 elderly Koreans supported the hypothesis that H. pylori infection plays a role in promoting atherosclerosis by modifying lipid metabolism [41]. In a systematic review, Polyzos et al [42] represented the results of nine studies reporting data on 2120 participants, in regard to possible association between H. pylori infection and insulin resistance measured by a quantitative homeostatic model.…”

Helicobacter pylori—An Infectious Risk Factor for Atherosclerosis?

“…Although previous studies of the association between H. pylori and the serum lipid levels have often yielded contradictory results, those findings have generally indicated that patients with this infection have a moderately increased risk of dyslipidemia 122,124,125) . Moreover, H. pylori infection has been shown to be associated with decreased HDL cholesterol (HDL-c), apoAI and HDL-c to total cholesterol values and increased apoB levels, indicating that current infection with H. pylori is correlated with an atherogenic modified lipid profile 122,123,126) . These changes are thought to be mediated by cytokines, particularly TNF-α, which inhibits lipoprotein lipase and thus results in the mobilization of lipids from tissues as well as elevation of serum triglycerides and reductions in HDL-c 127) .…”