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.
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.
Authors: A S Day; N L Jones; Z Policova; H A Jennings; E K Yau; P Shannon; A W Neumann; P M Sherman Journal: Dig Dis Sci Date: 2001-09 Impact factor: 3.199
Authors: Annika Braun; Ulrike Schönfeld; Thilo Welsch; Martina Kadmon; Benjamin Funke; Daniel Gotthardt; Alexandra Zahn; Frank Autschbach; Peter Kienle; Michael Zharnikov; Michael Grunze; Wolfgang Stremmel; Robert Ehehalt Journal: Int J Colorectal Dis Date: 2011-04-01 Impact factor: 2.571
Authors: Hien Quoc Huynh; Richard T L Couper; Cuong D Tran; Lynette Moore; Richard Kelso; Ross N Butler Journal: Dig Dis Sci Date: 2004 Nov-Dec Impact factor: 3.199