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. 1998 Oct;43(4):465–469. doi: 10.1136/gut.43.4.465

Age and Helicobacter pylori decrease gastric mucosal surface hydrophobicity independently

A Hackelsberger 1, U Platzer 1, M Nilius 1, V Schultze 1, T Gunther 1, J Dominguez-Munoz 1, P Malfertheiner 1
PMCID: PMC1727283  PMID: 9824570

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. 



Keywords: gastric mucosal defence; surface hydrophobicity; aging; Helicobacter pylori

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Figure 1 .

Figure 1

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Means of contact angles as a function of H pylori status and biopsy site. 


Figure 2 .

Figure 2

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(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

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Contact angle values as a measure of GMSH in antral mucosa according to age and H pylori infection. 


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