Myeloperoxidase, xanthine oxidase and superoxide dismutase in the gastric mucosa of Helicobacter pylori positive and negative pediatric patients.

The aim of this study was determination and comparison of the levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO), xanthine oxidase (XO), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in gastric mucosa of children who were infected and noninfected with Helicobacter pylori (HP). The MPO, and XO enzyme activities were detected via kinetic measurement, and the MPO, XO and SOD enzyme protein levels were detected via Western blot, in antral mucosa specimens of 43 patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with various indications. The diagnosis of HP infection was made with a positive rapid urease test and histopathologic detection. MPO activity and enzyme protein levels were measured in 14 [8 HP (+) and 6 HP (-)], and in 9 [5 HP (+) and 4 HP (-)] while XO activity and enzyme protein levels were measured in 16 [10 HP (+) and 6 HP (-)] and in 9 [5 HP (+) and 4 HP (-)] patients, respectively. SOD protein level was detected in 13 [7 HP (+) and 6 HP (-)] patients. Of 43 patients 25 were HP (+) and 18 were HP (-). MPO activities were 75.6 +/- 40.5 and 98.8 +/- 44.1 U/g. protein (p = 0.302) while XO activities were 0.5 +/- 0.3 and 0.4 +/- 0.2 U/g. protein in HP (+) and HP (-) patients, respectively (p = 0.625). Measured enzyme protein levels of MPO, XO and SOD were found statistically indifferent in HP (+) and HP (-) patients (p = 0.327, p = 0.086, and p = 0.775, respectively). The results of this study revealed that, MPO, XO and SOD conditions in gastric mucosa alone were not affected from HP presence. That's why MPO, XO, and SOD may not have important roles in the pathogenesis of HP related gastric disease in children.