Helicobacter pylori in vivo causes structural changes in the adherent gastric mucus layer but barrier thickness is not compromised.
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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: It has been proposed that a pathogenic effect of Helicobacter pylori is a weakening of the protective mucus barrier; however, this remains controversial. AIMS: To clarify the effects of H pylori infection on the mucus gel barrier in vivo. METHODS: Mucus gel polymeric structure and the thickness of the adherent mucus barrier were measured in endoscopic biopsy samples in subjects with and without H pylori infection. RESULTS: There was a significant 18% reduction in the proportion of polymeric gel forming mucin in the adherent mucus layer in H pylori positive compared with negative subjects. There was no change in the adherent mucus thickness between H pylori positive and negative subjects without gastric atrophy (mean (SD): 104 (26) micron, 106 (30) micron, respectively). There was however a significant reduction in mucus thickness in those H pylori positive subjects with underlying gastric atrophy (84 (13) micron, p=0.03) compared with those without atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: A partial breakdown in gel forming structure of the gastric mucus barrier does occur in H pylori infection per se but this is insufficient to cause a collapse of the mucus barrier.
SUBMITTER: Newton JL
PROVIDER: S-EPMC1727262 | biostudies-other | 1998 Oct
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other
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