Effect of Alcohol Consumption on Seroconversion in Helicobacter pylori-Seronegative Koreans / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) seroconversion may develop in seronegative adults. Although a positive correlation has been reported between alcohol consumption and seroconversion in Korea, an inverse correlation has been reported in other countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for seroconversion in Korea. METHODS: We included Korean adults who were H. pylori-negative negative in their annual serum immunoglobulin G and pepsinogen assays, and in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Subjects with a history of H. pylori eradication or gastrectomy were excluded. The criteria for heavy alcohol consumption were ≥ 15 drinks/week for males and ≥ 8 drinks/week for females. RESULTS: Of 267 H. pylori-seronegative subjects, 26 (9.7%) exhibited seroconversion at a mean follow-up time of 39.0 ± 19.1 months. Seroconversion was positively correlated with alcohol consumption (p = 0.001), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use (p = 0.015), a higher body mass index (p = 0.033), a longer follow-up period (p = 0.038), and a greater number of follow-up tests (p = 0.004). Heavy drinking (odds ratio 6.754, 95% confidence interval 1.892–24.102, p = 0.003) and social drinking (odds ratio 4.360, 95% confidence interval 1.130–16.826, p = 0.033) were independent risk factors for seroconversion. During follow-up, subjects with seroconversion had higher serum levels of pepsinogen II (12.0 ± 7.8 ng/mL) than others (9.1 ± 5.3 ng/mL) (p = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol consumption is related to seroconversion in Koreans. H. pylori transmission might be prevented by reducing alcohol consumption and controlling drinking habits.

Endoscopic gastritis, serum pepsinogen assay, and Helicobacter pylori infection

Endoscopic findings of the background gastric mucosa are important in the Helicobacter pylori-seroprevalent population. It is strongly correlated not only with the risk of gastric cancer, but also with the excretion ability of gastric mucosa cells. In noninfected subjects, common endoscopic findings are regular arrangement of collecting venules, chronic superficial gastritis, and erosive gastritis. In cases of active H. pylori infection, nodularity on the antrum, hemorrhagic spots on the fundus, and thickened gastric folds are common endoscopic findings. The secreting ability of the gastric mucosa cells is usually intact in both noninfected and actively infected stomachs, and the intragastric condition becomes hyperacidic upon inflammation. Increased serum pepsinogen II concentration correlates well with active H. pylori infection, and also indicates an increased risk of diffuse-type gastric cancer. In chronic inactive H. pylori infection, metaplastic gastritis and atrophic gastritis extending from the antrum (closed-type chronic atrophic gastritis) toward the corpus (open-type chronic atrophic gastritis) are common endoscopic findings. The intragastric environment is hypoacidic and the risk of intestinal-type gastric cancer is increased in such conditions. Furthermore, there is a decrease in serum pepsinogen I concentration when the secreting ability of the gastric mucosa cells is damaged. Serologic and endoscopic changes that occur upon H. pylori infection are important findings for estimating the secreting ability of the gastric mucosa cells, and could be applied for the secondary prevention of gastric cancer.

Helicobacter pylori Stool Antigen Levels and Serological Biomarkers of Gastric Inflammation are Associated with Cardio-Metabolic Risk Factors in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori infection and subsequent gastric inflammation have been proposed as risk factors for the development of insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease. In this study we assessed the possible association of H. pylori bacterial load, and serum biomarker of gastric inflammation with cardiometabolic risk factors in diabetic patients. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 84 H. pylori-infected type 2 diabetic patients were assessed for anthropometrics, biochemical and clinical measurements. Pearson correlation test, linear, and logarithmic regression curve estimation models were used to assess the association of H. pylori stool antigen (HpSAg) levels, and pepsinogen I (PGI) to pepsinogen II (PGII) ratio with fasting serum glucose, insulin, serum lipid and lipoprotein parameters, malondialdehyde, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body weight, waist circumference and lipid accumulation product (LAP) index. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 54+/-10 years, and 44% were men. Mean HpSAg levels and PGI/PGII ratio were 0.24+/-0.23 microg/mL and 9.9+/-9.0, respectively. Higher HpSAg as well as lower PGI/PGII was correlated with higher anthropometric measures and LAP. A significant negative correlation between PGI/PGII ratio and blood pressure (r=-0.21 and r=-0.22, systolic and diastolic, respectively, P<0.05), serum insulin (r=-0.17, P=0.05), and hs-CRP (r=-0.17, P=0.05) was observed. A significant linear association between PGI/PGII ratio with serum triglycerides (beta=-0.24, P<0.05), serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; beta=0.43, P<0.01), and triglycerides/HDL-C ratio (beta=-0.28, P<0.05) were observed. CONCLUSION: Higher H. pylori bacterial load and lower PGI/PGII ratio was associated with higher levels of cardiometabolic risk factors in H. pylori infected type 2 diabetic patients.

Niveles séricos de pepsinógeno y su capacidad diagnóstica de atrofia gástrica en diferentes poblaciones colombianas / Serum pepsinogen levels and gastric atrophy diagnostic capacity in different Colombian populations

Objetivo: Caracterizar los niveles de pepsinógeno y evaluar la capacidad de discriminación del PGI y la relación PGI/PGII para el diagnóstico serológico de atrofia gástrica en diferentes poblaciones colombianas. Materiales y métodos: Participaron 600 sujetos sin sintomatología gástrica y se analizaron 544 muestras de pacientes con sintomatología gástrica provenientes de diferentes poblaciones con riesgos opuestos para cáncer gástrico. A todos los participantes se les tomó muestra de sangre. En los pacientes se obtuvieron biopsias de antro y cuerpo para su diagnóstico inicial de lesiones gastroduodenales. Los niveles de pepsinógeno y la serología de Helicobacter pylori se estimaron con pruebas de ELISA. Los análisis estadísticos incluyeron pruebas de Kruskal-Wallis y Mann-Whitney, curva ROC y valores diagnósticos. Resultados: Los niveles de pepsinógeno en pacientes y sujetos asintomáticos difieren según la zona de riesgo de procedencia. Los niveles de PGI, PGII y PGI/PGII disminuyeron a medida que aumenta la severidad del diagnóstico histológico (p < 0,005), al igual que con el grado de severidad de la atrofia y la localización multifocal (p≤0,001). El PGI ≤86,68 y PGI/PGII ≤3,19 con un área bajo la curva de 0,76 identificó pacientes con atrofia severa multifocal, serología positiva para H. pylori y procedentes de la zona de riesgo alto, con sensibilidad de 77,5% y especificidad de 71,74%. Conclusión: Los resultados sugieren que los niveles de PGI, PGI/PGII conjuntamente con serología H. pylori positiva podrían ser considerados para la detección de atrofia severa en pacientes de la zona de riesgo alto. Se necesita otros estudios en poblaciones de riesgo alto.

Objective: To characterize levels of pepsinogen and evaluate the discrimination ability of pepsinogen I (PGI) and the PGI/ pepsinogen II (PGII) ratio for the serological diagnosis of gastric atrophy in different Colombian populations. Methods: A total 600 subjects without gastric symptoms participated and 544 samples from patients with gastric symptomatology were analyzed from different populations with opposing risks to gastric cancer. A blood sample was taken from all participants; a gastric antrum and body biopsy for the initial diagnosis of gastroduodenal lesions was obtained from the patients. The levels of pepsinogen and Helicobacter pylori serology were estimated with ELISA. Statistical analyses included Kruskal -Wallis and Mann -Whitney test, ROC curve and diagnostic values. Results: The levels of PGI and PGI / PGII differ by risk area of origin. Levels of PGI, PGII and PGI / PGII decreased with increasing severity of histological diagnosis (P < .005), as with the severity of atrophy and multifocal localization (P ≤.001). The PGI ≤ 86.68 and PGI / PGII ≤ 3.19 with an area under the curve of 0.76 identified patients with severe multifocal atrophy, positive serology for H. pylori, and from the high risk area, with a sensitivity of 77.5% and specificity of 71.74%. Conclusion: The results suggest that PGI levels together with PGI / PGII ratios and positive serology for H. pylori could be considered for the detection of severe atrophy in high-risk areas. Further studies are needed in high-risk populations © 2014 Instituto Nacional de Cancerología. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Differences in the Levels of Gastric Cancer Risk Factors Between Nanjing and Minqing Counties, China / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: In Fujian Province, China, gastric cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality among all malignant tumors. Nanjing county and Minqing county are located in inland Fujian and have similar general demographics. However, the adjusted mortality rate of gastric cancer in Minqing was found to be much higher than that in Nanjing. We sought to explore factors associated with this increased risk of gastric cancer between the two counties. METHODS: We recruited 231 and 224 residents from Nanjing and Minqing, respectively, and analyzed differences between their dietary habits, Helicobacter pylori infection rates, and concentrations of serum pepsinogen I, pepsinogen II, gastrin-17, and ratio of pepsinogen I:II. RESULTS: Subjects in Minqing had more first-degree relatives who had been diagnosed with upper gastrointestinal tumor, more unhealthy dietary habits, a higher Helicobacter pylori positive rate, and greater proportion of abnormal serum gastrin-17 than those in Nanjing did. CONCLUSIONS: The factors that differed between these two counties might indicate that residents in Minqing have a higher risk for developing gastric cancer than those in Nanjing do.

Differences in the Levels of Gastric Cancer Risk Factors Between Nanjing and Minqing Counties, China / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: In Fujian Province, China, gastric cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality among all malignant tumors. Nanjing county and Minqing county are located in inland Fujian and have similar general demographics. However, the adjusted mortality rate of gastric cancer in Minqing was found to be much higher than that in Nanjing. We sought to explore factors associated with this increased risk of gastric cancer between the two counties. METHODS: We recruited 231 and 224 residents from Nanjing and Minqing, respectively, and analyzed differences between their dietary habits, Helicobacter pylori infection rates, and concentrations of serum pepsinogen I, pepsinogen II, gastrin-17, and ratio of pepsinogen I:II. RESULTS: Subjects in Minqing had more first-degree relatives who had been diagnosed with upper gastrointestinal tumor, more unhealthy dietary habits, a higher Helicobacter pylori positive rate, and greater proportion of abnormal serum gastrin-17 than those in Nanjing did. CONCLUSIONS: The factors that differed between these two counties might indicate that residents in Minqing have a higher risk for developing gastric cancer than those in Nanjing do.

Changes of serum pepsinogen I/II ratio induced by Helicobacter pylori infection in hypertensive patients / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the changes in serum pepsinogen (PG) I/II ratio induced by Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection and assess the value of PG I/II test in evaluating organ damages in hypertensive patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and PG I/II ratio were tested in 288 hypertensive patients with or without Hp infection. The PG I/II ratio between the patients with different grade of hypertension, patients with and without hypertensive nephropathy, patients with and without hypertensive retinopathy. The relationship of PG I/II ratio with serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL was analyzed with Pearson's correlation analysis and the effectiveness of PG I/II ratio in the the diagnosis of nephropathy and retinopathy was evaluated by receiver-operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with patients without Hp infection, the Hp-infected patients showed significantly decreased PG I/II ratio and increased total cholesterol and triglycerides (P<0.05), but their HDL levels, systolic pressure and diastolic pressure were comparable (P>0.05). PG I/II ratio was significantly decreased in patients with nephropathy and retinopathy compared with the patients without nephropathy and retinopathy (P<0.05), and was similar between patients with different grades of hypertension (P>0.05). PG I/II ratio was negatively correlated with serum total cholesterol and triglycerides in the hypertensive patients (P<0.05), and its area under curve (AUC) of ROC was 0.79 and 0.82 in the diagnosis of nephropathy and retinopathy, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Hypertensive patients with nephropathy and retinopathy have obviously decreased PG I/II ratio, which can be used for screening organ damages in hypertensive patients.</p>

PGC and PSMA in prostate cancer diagnosis: tissue analysis from biopsy samples

Purpose The discovery of new diagnostic tools for the diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa) has become an important field of research. In this study, we analyzed the diagnostic value of the expression of the pepsinogen C (PGC) and prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) genes in tissue samples obtained from prostate biopsies. Materials and Methods This study was comprised of 51 consecutive patients who underwent transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsies between January 2010 and March 2010. The biopsies were performed with 12 cores, and an additional core was randomly retrieved from the peripheral zone from each patient for study purposes. The expression of the PGC and PSMA genes was analyzed from the cDNA from the samples via the qRT-PCR technology. The expression patterns of patients with PCa were compared with those of patients without a PCa diagnosis. Results PSMA was overexpressed in only 43.4% of PCa cases, and PGC was overexpressed in 72.7% of cases. The median expression of PSMA was 1.5 times (0.1 to 43.9) and the median PGC expression was 8.7 times (0.1 to 50.0) the expression observed in prostatic tissue from TRUS-guided biopsies of normal patients. Analysis of patients with high-risk PCa indicated that PGC was overexpressed in 71.4% of cases (with a median expression of 10.6 times), and PSMA was overexpressed in only 35.7% of cases (with a median expression of 4.5 times). Among patients with low-risk PCa, PGC was also overexpressed in 71.4% of cases (with a median expression of 5.9 times), and PSMA was overexpressed in only 42.8% of cases (with a median expression of 2.5 times). Conclusions PGC gene expression is significantly higher in prostatic tissue in men affected by PCa when compared to normal prostates. Further analyses are necessary to confirm our results. .

Pepsinógeno y gastrina en el diagnóstico no invasivo de la atrofia gástrica: un estudio caso-control en población peruana / Pepsinogen and gastrin in non-invasive diagnosis of gastric atrophy: a case-control study in peruvian population

INTRODUCCIÓN: La detección de atrofia gástrica podría ser utilizada en el diagnóstico precoz de cáncer gástrico en Perú. Se evaluó la determinación de niveles séricos de pepsinógenos I y II (PGI, PGII), gastrina-17 (G17), y la relación PGI/PGII como posible prueba de diagnóstico no invasivo de atrofia en pacientes peruanos. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se estudiaron adultos con dispepsia sometidos a endoscopía con biopsia gástrica, considerando dos controles sin atrofia por cada caso con atrofia. Se evaluaron las diferencias y se confeccionaron curvas ROC, así como el perfil serológico combinando PGI y PGI/PGII. Se calculó su sensibilidad y especificidad. RESULTADOS: Se analizaron 22 casos y 44 controles. El área bajo la curva ROC fue 0.599, 0.546 y 0.534 para PGI, PGII, y PGI/PGII respectivamente. Ninguna prueba discriminó entre casos y controles. El perfil serológico no alcanzó sensibilidad y especificidad adecuadas. DISCUSIÓN: Este primer estudio de pepsinógeno, gastrina y atrofia en Perú, no mostró utilidad de estos métodos. El impacto potencial en la detección y prevención de una neoplasia prevalente justifica mayor investigación. Incluir más pacientes, excluir a los tratados previamente contra Helicobacter pylori, y procesar separadamente las biopsias de antro y cuerpo, podrían revelar asociaciones no vistas en este estudio.

INTRODUCTION: Detection of gastric atrophy could be used for early diagnosis of gastric cancer in Perú. It was determined the pepsinogens I and II (PGI, PGII) and Gastrin-17 (G17) serum levels, and the PGI/PGII ratio as a non-invasive diagnostic test for gastric atrophy in Peruvian patiens. METHODS: Dyspeptic adults undergoing endoscopy and gastric biopsies were studied. For each case with atrophy two controls without atrophy were selected. Differences were evaluated and ROC curves constructed. A serologic profile was produced combining PGI and PGI/PGII ratio. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated. RESULTS: 22 cases and 44 controls were included. Areas under ROC curves were 0.599, 0.546 and 0.534 for PGI, PGII and PGI/PGII ratio, respectively. None of these allowed for discrimination between cases and controls. The serological profile did not reach appropriate sensitivity and specificity. DISCUSSION: This first study of pepsinogen, gastrin and atrophy in Peru showed none of these tests to be useful. Their potential impact in early detection and prevention of prevalent cancer justify further investigation. Recruiting more patients, excluding those previously treated for Helicobacter pylori, and processing independently the antrum and corpus biopsies, could reveal findings not seen in present study.

Immunological non invasive blood tests to evaluate gastric mucosa in Iraqi dyspeptic patients

Dyspepsia is a common symptom in general practitioner. Using non invasive serological biomarkers would help to identify individuals at increased risk of atrophic gastritis and gastric cancer. In present study, the evaluation of the utility of a serological gastric panel test combining pepsinogen I [PGI], pepsinogen II [PGII], pepsinogenl/pepsinogenll ratio [I/II], gastrin-17 [G-17] [basal and stimulated] and Helicobacter pylori [HP] IgG antibodies as a screening method and to predict the state of gastric mucosa: non atrophic, atrophic gastritis and its sequel of developing gastric carcinoma and intestinal metaplasia. Prediction of gastric mucosa using non invasive immunological blood tests from dyspeptic patients. The serological gastro panel test was evaluated in [54] Iraqi dyspeptic patients divided into two groups: [HP+] and [HP-]. Levels of PGI, PGll, PGI/PGII ratio, G-l 7 basal and stimulated and HP IgG antibodies were determined through a specific immunological non invasive Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay [ELISA] test from Biohit PlC, Helsinki, Finland. Using fasting and postprandial samples from those patients. 60% of dyspeptic patients complain from epigastric pain and 62.96% of them had HP+. There were significant increase in PGI, PGII [p<0.05] in NAG. ln case of I/II ratio, there was no significant difference between two groups of HP+ and HP-. The other parameter was done is basal 0-17 which is significantly increased in HP+ [p>0.05] and postprandial G-l7 showed no significant difference between two groups. Most of those Iraqi dyspeptic patients had non atrophic gastritis due to Helicobacter pylori infection that leads to increased in the PGI, PGII, G-17 through many mechanisms. If HP not treated properly this may leads to atrophic gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric carcinoma. Gastric panel test was considered as a non endoscope immunological blood test in the diagnosis of atrophic gastritis and its outcome in dyspeptic patients

Clinical Utility of Serum Pepsinogen Levels as a Screening Test of Atrophic Gastritis / 대한진단검사의학회지

BACKGROUND: Atrophic gastritis is a well known risk factor for gastric adenocarcinoma. Its confirmatory diagnosis requires histology via endoscopy, which is an invasive method; therefore, periodic follow up evaluation as a screening method is difficult to perform. We evaluated the clinical utility of serum pepsinogens (PG) as a biomarker for screening of atrophic gastritis. METHODS: The study population consisted of 130 selected dyspeptic patients (M:F=52:78; age, 16-105 yrs; mean age, 50.8 yrs) who had undergone a diagnostic endoscopy. The serum pepsinogen test was performed by a latex turbidimetric immunoassay method (HBI, Korea) using Toshiba-200FR automatic analyzer. The PGI, II level and PGI:PGII ratio of non-atrophic gastritis group were compared with those of atrophic gastritis group, and a correlation with Helicobacter pylori infection was examined. Cut-off points for screening of atrophic gastritis were determined. RESULTS: The mean serum concentration of PGI showed a decline from normal (60.7 ng/mL), nonatrophic gastritis (54.2 ng/mL), and atrophic gastritis (51.8 ng/mL) to gastric adenocarcinoma (32.6 ng/mL). The mean ratio of PGI:PGII was lower in atrophic gastritis (3.2) compared to non-atrophic gastritis (4.7) (P=0.021). In patients with H. pylori infection, the mean serum PGII level was higher and the PGI:PGII ratio was lower than those in patients without H. pylori infection, and the differences were statistically significant. For screening of atrophic gastritis, the best cut-off point of PGI:PGII ratio was 4, with a sensitivity of 82.6% and specificity of 91.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The serum pepsinogen test is a useful biomarker for screening of atrophic gastritis, a well-known precancerous lesion of gastric adenocarcinoma. Measuring both pepsinogen I and II concentrations simultaneously to obtain pepsinogen I/II ratio provides a clinically useful information for the detection of atrophic gastritis.

Interaction between an insertion/deletion polymorphism in pepsinogen C and Helicobacter pylori infection in the development of gastric cancer / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>This study was designed to investigate the interaction between pepsinogen C(PGC) insertion/deletion polymorphism and Helicobacter pylori(Hp) infection, together with its different subtype strains, in the development of gastric cancer (GC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>PGC Genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay in 564 subjects with superficial gastritis (NOR), gastric ulcer (GU), atrophic gastritis (AG) and GC, who were frequency-matched as 1:1. Serum Hp-IgG antibodies were determined by an enzyme linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA). Hp genetic subtypes in 171 patients with Hp infection were determined by PCR methods.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In GU, AG and GC, the OR of interaction was 8.69 (P = 0.049), 11.16 (P = 0.02), and 10.61 (P = 0.03), respectively; the interaction index of PGC homozygous allele 1 genotype and Hp infection was 5.40, 6.48 or 4.34, respectively; the attributable proportions were 0.721, 0.770 and 0.697, respectively. In AG and GC, no significant interactions were observed between PGC polymorphism and Hp genetic subtypes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The findings of this study suggest that PGC insertion/deletion polymorphism and Hp infection seem to present a positive interaction in the development of gastric cancer. While no interactions may be present between PGC polymorphism and Hp genetic subtypes.</p>

Serum pepsinogen I and II levels in various gastric disorders with special reference to their use as a screening test for carcinoma stomach.

INTRODUCTION: The role of serum pepsinogen in the diagnosis of gastric carcinoma is well established. Its role in other common upper alimentary disorders has not been widely studied. The aim of this study was to describe the effect of various gastric disorders on the levels of pepsinogen I, pepsinogen II and pepsinogen I/II ratio, with an emphasis on the diagnosis of carcinoma stomach in the South Indian population. METHODS: A total of 210 patients in seven groups, including one control group, were studied. The groups included patients with carcinoma stomach, Helicobacter pylori gastritis, peptic ulcer, portal hypertensive gastropathy, non-ulcer dyspepsia and erosive gastritis. Serum pepsinogen I, pepsinogen II and pepsinogen I/II ratio were estimated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. RESULTS: Patients with carcinoma of the stomach, when compared with controls, had a significantly lower pepsinogen I level (87.2 microg/L vs. 158.1 microg/L, p=0.0002) and pepsinogen I/II ratio (4.3 vs. 7.2, p = 0.0001). No significant change in pepsinogen levels occurred in the other groups. The cut-off levels of pepsinogen I (115.3 microg/L) and pepsinogen I/II ratio (6.2), determined by THE ROC curve, when applied in parallel provided a sensitivity of 97% and a negative predictive value of 91.4% for the diagnosis of carcinoma stomach. When the tests were applied in parallel, the likelihood ratio of a negative test was 0.06, indicating that individuals without carcinoma stomach were 16 times more likely to have a negative test than those with carcinoma. This fulfilled the essential prerequisites of an ideal screening test. CONCLUSION: Serum pepsinogen estimation is a useful diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of carcinoma stomach. The significance of serum pepsinogen level in portal hypertensive gastropathy, non-ulcer dyspepsia, peptic ulcer, Helicobacter pylori gastritis and erosive gastritis was not established.

Significance of serum pepsinogens in atrophic gastritis

Chronic atrophic gastritis is a precancerous lesion. A commonly used test for the diagnosis of chronic atrophic gastritis, gastric endoscopy with biopsy collection, and a good serological test would be best include low levels of pepsinogen I [PGI] or a low PGI/PGII ratio. To confirm the use of serum pepsinogens as a screening marker in atrophic gastritis. A study was conducted in the period between December 2005 and March 2006 on 25 patients with artophic gastritis attending Gastroenterology and Hepatology Teaching Hospital in Baghdad, and 25 healyh control subjects. Sera were tested for PGI and PGII by ELISA test the serum PGI were decreased significantly with artophic gastritis and the PGI/PGII ratio were decreased in [78%] of patient group and not affected in healthy people

Relationship between Pepsinogen I/II Ratio and Age or Upper Gastrointestinal Diseases in Helicobacter pylori-positive and -negative Subjects / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although previous reports suggested that pepsinogen (PG) I/II ratio was the index of gastric atrophy, PG I/II ratio was also related to other factors such as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, various gastrointestinal diseases, and aging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum PG I/II ratio and age or upper gastro-intestinal diseases according to H. pylori infection status. METHODS: A total of 529 individuals (307 male; mean age, 57.2 years) were divided into 4 groups (94 gastric ulcers, 35 duodenal ulcers, 105 reflux esophagitis, and 295 atrophic gastritis) according to endoscopic diagnosis. H. pylori infection was determined by H. pylori IgG antibody (ELISA) and PG was measured by latex immunoassay. RESULTS: H. pylori infected patients showed markedly increased serum PG II levels (24.0+/-14.7 ng/mL vs. 13.8+/-16.6 ng/mL, p<0.001) and low PG I/II ratio (3.9+/-2.0 vs. 6.0+/-2.5, p<0.001) than non-infected subjects. In H. pylori infected patients, mean PG I/II ratios in the gastric ulcer and atrophic gastritis group were significantly lower than those of the duodenal ulcer and reflux esophagitis group (p<0.001, ANOVA, Turkey's multiples comparison test). The mean ratio of open type atrophic gastritis was lower than that of close type atrophic gastritis (3.0+/-1.4 vs. 3.8+/-1.7, p<0.005). PG I/II ratio gradually decreased with age in H. pylori-infected patients with atrophic gastritis (R(2)=0.9, p=0.005, linear regression analysis). CONCLUSION: Serum PG I/II ratio reflects H. pylori infection and gastric atrophy. In the presence of H. pylori infection, gastric atrophy progresses with age.

Relationship between Pepsinogen I/II Ratio and Age or Upper Gastrointestinal Diseases in Helicobacter pylori-positive and -negative Subjects / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although previous reports suggested that pepsinogen (PG) I/II ratio was the index of gastric atrophy, PG I/II ratio was also related to other factors such as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, various gastrointestinal diseases, and aging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum PG I/II ratio and age or upper gastro-intestinal diseases according to H. pylori infection status. METHODS: A total of 529 individuals (307 male; mean age, 57.2 years) were divided into 4 groups (94 gastric ulcers, 35 duodenal ulcers, 105 reflux esophagitis, and 295 atrophic gastritis) according to endoscopic diagnosis. H. pylori infection was determined by H. pylori IgG antibody (ELISA) and PG was measured by latex immunoassay. RESULTS: H. pylori infected patients showed markedly increased serum PG II levels (24.0+/-14.7 ng/mL vs. 13.8+/-16.6 ng/mL, p<0.001) and low PG I/II ratio (3.9+/-2.0 vs. 6.0+/-2.5, p<0.001) than non-infected subjects. In H. pylori infected patients, mean PG I/II ratios in the gastric ulcer and atrophic gastritis group were significantly lower than those of the duodenal ulcer and reflux esophagitis group (p<0.001, ANOVA, Turkey's multiples comparison test). The mean ratio of open type atrophic gastritis was lower than that of close type atrophic gastritis (3.0+/-1.4 vs. 3.8+/-1.7, p<0.005). PG I/II ratio gradually decreased with age in H. pylori-infected patients with atrophic gastritis (R(2)=0.9, p=0.005, linear regression analysis). CONCLUSION: Serum PG I/II ratio reflects H. pylori infection and gastric atrophy. In the presence of H. pylori infection, gastric atrophy progresses with age.

Evaluation of serum pepsinogen I , II and osteopontin co-detection in gastric cancer screening / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the value of combined assay of serum PG and OPN concentration for gastric cancer screening.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Pepsinogen I , II and osteopontin (OPN) concentrations in fasting serum were measured by ELISA in 570 subjects, including 144 gastric cancer, 60 dysplasia, 113 atrophic gastritis, 70 erosion or ulcer, 92 superficial gastritis and 91 healthy control. The cut off point for PG and OPN was determined using receiver operator characteristics curves (ROC).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Using a serum PG I concentration < or =80 ng/ml, I: II ration < or =5.0 and OPN concentration > or =34 ng/ml or > or =30.4 ng/ml (based on ROC) for gastric cancer screening,the specificity, positive and negative predictive values were superior to that obtained by PG concentration only. Using a serumPGI concentration < or =50 ng/ml, I : II ration C 5. 0 and OPN concentration > or =35.2 ng/ml or > or =29. 2 ng/ml (based on ROC), the sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values were superior to that obtained by PG concentration only. Combining PG and OPN for gastric cancer screening, both sensitivity and specificity were more than 70% , while with OPN alone, only good specificity can be achieved.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Combining different serum PG and OPN concentration for gastric cancer screening is superior to PG or OPN only. This may be used as a new method in gastric cancer mass screening.</p>

Gene expression profiling of diffuse-type gastric cancer by cDNA microarray / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify cancer-related genes in diffuse-type gastric cancer and to explore its molecular mechanism by cDNA microarray analysis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 22 pairs of diffuse-type gastric cancer tissue and the corresponding normal mucosa were taken and freshly frozen. cDNA microarray with 14,592 genes/ESTs was used. Genes were considered to be up- or down-regulated when the fluorescent intensity ratio between tumor and normal mucosa was over 2-fold in over 50% of the samples (P < 0.05). Hierarchical clustering of regulated genes was performed as a measure to study expressional similarity. Validation of array results was carried out by real time quantitative PCR (QPCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with those of corresponding normal mucosa, there were a total of 153 genes/ESTs up-regulated and 204 down-regulated in diffuse-type gastric cancer. Hierarchical clustering demonstrated that the genes belonging to the same subgroup displayed similar function. Most of the overexpressed genes were those related to cell adhesion, cell motility, matrix reconstruction, cell proliferation and/or signal transduction; while genes related to defense response, toxicoid metabolism, DNA repairing, nuclear-cytoplasmic transport and/or anti-apoptosis made up the main list of the underexpressed genes. Seven genes showed higher expression in TNM (T I + T II) group than in (T III + T IV) group. QPCR confirmed the array analysis results.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Gene expression profiling by cDNA microarray analysis provides not only molecular understanding of biological properties of cancer, but may also be helpful in discovering new diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets in gastric adenocarcinoma.</p>

Correlation of serum pepsinogen level and gastric mucosal changes of residents in the high incidence area of gastric cancer / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the correlation between serum pepsinogen (PG) level and gastric mucosal changes of the residents who live in the high incidence area of gastric cancer, and investigate the value of serum PG level in screening for chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) and gastric cancer (GC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Serum PG level was detected with time resolved fluorescence immunoassay (TRFIA). The correlation between serum PG level and gastric mucosal changes was analyzed through endoscopic biopsy and pathological examination in 720 adult residents.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The median serum PG I, PG II level and PG I / PG II ratio in 30 healthy residents with normal gastric mucosa was 172.0 microg/L, 9.6 microg/L and 17.5, respectively. The median serum PG I level of GC patients was significantly lower than that of chronic gastritis patients, gastric ulcer (GU) patients and local healthy residents (P < 0.05). The median PG I level of GU patients was significantly higher than that of the healthy resident group and the other groups (P <0.05). Serum PG II level in CAG, GC and GU groups were all significantly higher than that in CSG and healthy resident group (P <0.05). The PG I/PG II ratio in CAG or GC patients was significantly lower than that in the other groups (P < 0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of serum PG I < or = 60 microg/L for screening CAG or GC was 19.7% and 95.5% respectively, which were 34.7%, 89.3% for PG I/PG II < or =6, and 14.1%, 97.3% for PG I < or =60 microg/L + PG I /PG II < or =6. None in GU group was found to have serum PG I < or =60 microg/L. The median serum PG I level and PG I /PG II ratio in chronic gastritis (including CSG and CAG) with intestinal metaplasia were significantly lower than that of healthy resident group (P < 0.05). The sensitivity and specificity for screening of intestinal metaplasia were 16.6% and 92.9% by PG I < or =60 microg/L; 25.6% and 80.4% by PG I/PG II < or =6; 11.9% and 93.9% by PG I < or =60 microg/L + PG I/ PG II < or = 6.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Serum pepsinogen level of the residents in the high incidence area of gastric cancer is closely correlated with the pathological changes of gastric mucosa. Though the sensitivity of serum pepsinogen level is relatively lower in the screening for chronic gastritis, gastric cancer and intestinal metaplasia, the specificity was quite high. PG I < or = 60 microg/L may be usful in differential diagnosis of gastric cancer from gastric ulcer.</p>