Artículo científico -- Universidad de Costa Rica, Instituto de Investigaciones en Salud. 1993To assess the effect of Helicobacter pylori
(HP) eradication on the proliferation of the gastric
epithelium by the expression of the proliferating cell
nuclear antigen (PCNA). Methods: Alcohol-fixed gastric
biopsies taken before and after treatment for HP
were immunostained with the PC-10 anti-PCNA monoclonal
antibody and the labeling index was determined
with an image analysis system. Results: The mean
PCNA-labeling index (LI) of 16 patients who remained
HP positive did not change significantly (18.95 ± 1.71
on first visit vs. 17.96 ± 1.91 on second visit, mean ±
SEM). The mean PCNA LI of 31 patients who cleared
HP was reduced significantly (19.95 ± 1.77 on first
visit vs. 14.13 ± 1.29 on second visit, p < 0.001).
Patients who were positive for HP at both first and
second visit showed a significantly higher PCNA LI
than normal control biopsies (13.05 ± 1.70) (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: These results indicate that the gastric
mucosa infected with HP is in a state of hyperproliferation.
Patients who cleared HP showed a significant
histopathological improvement, reflected in the reduction
in number of polymorphonuclear and mononuclear
cell infiltrates, and a reduction in the amount of superficial
mucosa damage. Prolonged hyperproliferation of
the gastric epithelium exerted by HP infection could be
a major factor for human gastric carcinogenesis.Universidad de Costa Rica. Instituto de Investigaciones en SaludLouisiana State University Medical Center. Department of PathologyUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias de la Salud::Instituto de Investigaciones en Salud (INISA
