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. 1998 Oct;43(4):465-9.
doi: 10.1136/gut.43.4.465.

Age and Helicobacter pylori decrease gastric mucosal surface hydrophobicity independently

A Hackelsberger  1 , U Platzer, M Nilius, V Schultze, T Günther, J E Dominguez-Muñoz, P Malfertheiner
Affiliations

Age and Helicobacter pylori decrease gastric mucosal surface hydrophobicity independently

A Hackelsberger et al. Gut. 1998 Oct.

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.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Means of contact angles as a function of H pylori status and biopsy site.
Figure 2
Figure 2
(A) Mean contact angles (SD) at the three biopsy sites in patients without H pylori infection as a function of age. Group I (n=31), Group II (n=23), Group III (n=14). (B) Mean contact angles (SD) at the three biopsy sites in patients with H pylori infection as a function of age. Group I (n=9), Group II (n=17), Group III (n=26).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Contact angle values as a measure of GMSH in antral mucosa according to age and H pylori infection.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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