Diminuição da expressão do microRNA-629 em amostras de câncer gástrico potencializada pelo marcador de virulências do H. pylori, gene cagA / Decreased expression of microrna-629 in gastric cancer samples potentiated by the virulence marker of h. pylori, caga gene

ABSTRACT Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a gram-negative bacterium associated with the etiology of several gastrointestinal tract pathologies, and cagA-positive (cagA+) strains are found in populations with gastric ulcers and precancerous lesions, inducing pro-inflammatory responses. The development of neoplasms is related to microRNA (miRNA) dysregulation, indicating highly expressed miRNA-629. The article aims to correlate the expression level of miRNA-629 with the presence of H. pylori and the pathogenicity marker cagA. Methods: 203 gastric biopsy samples were evaluated from individuals with normal gastric tissue (n=60), gastritis (n=96), and gastric cancer (n=47) of both genders and over 18 years old. The samples were subdivided according to the presence or absence of H. pylori, detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RNA was extracted using a commercial kit and quantified. Complementary DNA (cDNA) was synthesized using commercial kits, and the relative expression was calculated using the 2-ΔΔCt method. Results: Individuals infected with H. pylori are nine times more likely to develop gastric cancer. Cancer patients appeared to have decreased expression of miRNA-629; however, the presence of the bacterium would not influence this reduction. Individuals in the cancer group showed lower miRNA-629 expression when cagA+; however, in the control group, the expression was higher when cagA+. Conclusion: H. pylori is a factor involved in the etiology and progression of gastric diseases. Reduction in miRNA-629 expression in cancer patients occurs independent of the presence of the bacterium, but when the cagA pathogenicity marker is present, it induces changes in the gene expression of the respective miRNA.

RESUMO Contexto: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) é uma bactéria gram-negativa associada à etiologia de várias patologias do trato gastrointestinal, e cepas positivas para cagA (cagA+) são encontradas em populações com úlceras gástricas e lesões pré-cancerígenas, induzindo respostas pró-inflamatórias. O desenvolvimento de neoplasias está relacionado à desregulação do microRNA (miRNA), indicando miRNA-629 altamente expresso. O artigo tem como objetivo correlacionar o nível de expressão do miRNA-629 com a presença de H. pylori e o marcador de patogenicidade cagA. Métodos: Foram avaliadas 203 amostras de biópsia gástrica de indivíduos com tecido gástrico normal (n=60), gastrite (n=96) e câncer gástrico (n=47) de ambos os sexos e com mais de 18 anos. As amostras foram subdivididas de acordo com a presença ou ausência de H. pylori, detectado por reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR). O RNA foi extraído usando um kit comercial e quantificado. O DNA complementar (cDNA) foi sintetizado usando kits comerciais, e a expressão relativa foi calculada usando o método 2-ΔΔCt. Resultados: Indivíduos infectados com H. pylori têm nove vezes mais chances de desenvolver câncer gástrico. Pacientes com câncer parecem ter diminuição da expressão do miRNA-629; no entanto, a presença da bactéria não influenciaria essa redução. Indivíduos no grupo do câncer apresentaram menor expressão do miRNA-629 quando cagA+; no entanto, no grupo controle, a expressão foi maior quando cagA+. Conclusão: H. pylori é um fator envolvido na etiologia e progressão das doenças gástricas. A redução na expressão do miRNA-629 em pacientes com câncer ocorre independentemente da presença da bactéria, mas quando o marcador de patogenicidade cagA está presente, induz mudanças na expressão gênica do respectivo miRNA.

Ultrastructure Characteristics of Different Chinese Medicine Syndromes of Helicobacter pylori-Correlated Gastric Diseases / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the ultrastructure characteristics of patients with dampness-heat of Pi (Spleen)-Wei (Stomach) syndrome (DHPW) and Pi-qi deficiency syndrome (PQD), both of which are Helicobacter pylori (Hp)-correlated gastric diseases (HPCG), and implicate a helpful hint for the clinical microcosmic syndrome differentiation.@*METHODS@#Fourteen gastric mucosa samples from 6 chronic gastritis (CG) and 6 active peptic ulcer (including 8 DHPW, 4 PQD) as well as 2 healthy volunteers were collected and tested for Hp infection. The ultrastructure of gastric mucosa was observed under the transmission electron microscope (TEM).@*RESULTS@#Among 14 gastric mucosa samples, 8 of them were Hp positive (6 DHPW and 2 PQD), which were all accordance with the results screened by supermicro-pathological method. Under TEM, the normal gastric mucosa, with tidy microvilli and abundant in mucus granules, mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum distributed evenly, and with smooth nucleus membrane. But in those specimens of DHPW with Hp infection, microvilli were presented with burr shape. Especially, those samples from dampness-heat syndrome with predominant heat type (DHSH) patients were more obvious, with microvilli damaged, mitochondria concentrated and distributed in disorder, secretory tubule extended. In dampness-heat syndrome with predominant dampness type (DHSD) patients, mucus granules aggregated obviously, mitochondria swelled and blurred, and rough endoplasmic reticulum crowded. For 2 samples of DHPW without Hp infection, their microvilli were intact, with mitochondria increased and gathered but well-distributed, and secretory tubule extended mildly. In 2 PQD patients with Hp positive, the specimens of microvilli were sparse, and their mucus granules and mitochondria were decreased, with fractured crests and vacuole, secretory tubules extension to nucleus membrane, and rough endoplasmic reticulum extension in a pool-like way, and nucleus condensed. The 2 samples from PQD patients without Hp infection were characterized with intact microvilli, decreased mitochondria, fractured crest and extended rough endoplasmic reticulum in a pool-like way.@*CONCLUSION@#It's obviously different in ultrastructure of DHPW and PQD patients under TEM, which may give a helpful hint for the microcosmic syndrome differentiation of HPCG.

Astaxanthin Prevents Decreases in Superoxide Dismutase 2 Level and Superoxide Dismutase Activity in Helicobacter pylori-infected Gastric Epithelial Cells

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori increases production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which activates inflammatory and carcinogenesis-related signaling pathways in gastric epithelial cells. Therefore, reducing ROS, by upregulating antioxidant enzyme, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), may be a novel strategy to prevent H. pylori-associated gastric diseases. Astaxanthin is an antioxidant carotenoid that prevents oxidative stress-induced cell injury. The present study was aimed to determine whether H. pylori decreases SOD activity by changing the levels of SOD1/SOD2 and whether astaxanthin prevents changes in SOD levels and activity in H. pylori-infected gastric epithelial AGS cells. METHODS: AGS cells were pre-treated with astaxanthin for 3 hours prior to H. pylori infection and cultured for 1 hour in the presence of H. pylori. SOD levels and activity were assessed by Western blot analysis and a commercial assay kit, respectively. Mitochondrial ROS was determined using MitoSOX fluorescence. RESULTS: H. pylori decreased SOD activity and the SOD2 level, but increased mitochondrial ROS in AGS cells. The SOD1 level was not changed by H. pylori infection. Astaxanthin prevented H. pylori-induced decreases in the SOD2 level and SOD activity and reduced mitochondrial ROS in AGS cells. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of astaxanthin-rich food may prevent the development of H. pylori-associated gastric disorders by suppressing mitochondrial oxidative stress.

Principales diagnósticos clinicoendoscópicos e histológicos en ancianos con afecciones gastroduodenales / Main clinical, endoscopic and histological diagnosis in aged patients with gastric and duodenal disorders

Se efectuó un estudio descriptivo y retrospectivo de 257 ancianos con afecciones gastroduodenales, según resultados clinicoendoscópicos e histológicos, ingresados en las salas de Medicina Interna y Geriatría del Hospital General Docente "Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso" de Santiago de Cuba, durante el bienio 2010-2011, con vistas a caracterizarles e identificar los principales diagnósticos en ellos. Entre las entidades gastroduodenales predominaron las enfermedades gástricas; asimismo, preponderaron el sexo masculino, el grupo etario de 70-79 años y la gastritis antral como hallazgo endoscópico. Se demostró que en un número elevado de pacientes estaba infectado por Helicobacter pylori y que la densidad de colonización ligera se distinguió a medida que progresaba la lesión gástrica.

A descriptive and retrospective study of 257 old men with gastric and duodenal disorders, according to clinical endoscopic and histological results who were admitted in the Internal Medicine and Geriatrics Departments of "Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso" Teaching General Hospital in Santiago de Cuba was carried out during the biennium 2010-2011, with the aim of characterizing them and to identify the main diagnosis in them. Among the gastric and duodenal diseases the gastric ones prevailed; also, the male sex, the age group 70-79 years and the antral gastritis as endoscopic finding prevailed. It was demonstrated that a high number of patients were infected by Helicobacter pylori and that the density of slight colonization was distinguished as the gastric lesion progressed.

Clinical Study on Qujun Tongyou Decoction Combined with Proton Pump Inhibitors and ;Bismuth in Treatment of Helicobacter Pylori Associated Gastric Diseases / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To observe the curative effect of Qujun Tongyou Decoction instead of antibiotics in treatment of Helicobacter pylori (HP) associated gastric disease, and explore the mechanism of action. Methods In 236 patients, 140 cases of newly diagnosed patients were randomly divided into treatment group of 80 cases and control group of 60 cases, 96 cases of retreatment patients were randomly divided into treatment group of 56 cases and control group of 40 cases. The control group was given western quadruple therapy:newly diagnosed patients with rabeprazole sodium enteric-coated capsules+colloidal bismuth pectin+Amoxicillin Capsules+clarithromycin dispersible tablets;retreatment patients with rabeprazole sodium enteric-coated capsules+colloidal bismuth pectin+metronidazole tablets+levofloxacin tablets. The treatment group was given rabeprazole sodium enteric coated capsules and colloidal bismuth pectin plus Qujun Tongyou Decoction. All patients were treated for 2 weeks. 1, 3, 6 months after treatment, 14C-urea breath test was detected, HP negative rate, recurrence rate, clinical symptoms, and adverse reaction were observed. Results HP negative rate, the total effective rate and the recurrence rate in treatment group were different with the control group (P<0.05). There was significant difference in the rate of symptom control between treatment group and the control group (P<0.01). No adverse reaction showed in treatment group. Conclusion Rabeprazole sodium enteric-coated capsules and colloidal bismuth pectin combined with Qujun Tongyou Decotion can effectively inhibit and kill HP, promote the repair and healing of ulcer, control symptoms, reduce HP recurrence, lessen adverse reaction, is effective in the treatment of HP associated gastric diseases.

Helicobacter pylori vacA and cagA genotypes in patients from northeastern Brazil with upper gastrointestinal diseases

Helicobacter pylori causes chronic gastric inflammation and significantly increases the risk of duodenal and gastric ulcer disease and distal gastric carcinoma. In this study, we evaluated the Helicobacter pylori vacA and cagA genotypes in patients from a Brazilian region where there is a high prevalence of gastric cancer. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to investigate vacA mosaicism and cagA status in the gastric mucosa of 134 H. pylori-positive patients, including 76 with gastritis: 28 with peptic ulcer disease and 30 with gastric cancer. The s1m1 variant was the predominant vacA genotype observed, whereas the s1 allele was more frequently observed in patients with more severe diseases associated with H. pylori infection [p = 0.03, odds ratio (OR) = 5.72, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.15-38.60]. Furthermore, all of the s1 alleles were s1b. Mixed vacA m1/m2 strains were found more frequently in patients with gastric cancer and a cagA-positive status was significantly associated with gastric cancer (p = 0.016, OR = 10.36, 95% CI = 1.35-217.31). Patients with gastric cancer (21/21, 100%, p = 0.006) or peptic ulcers (20/21, 95%, p = 0.02) were more frequently colonised by more virulent H. pylori strains compared to gastritis patients (41/61, 67.2%). In conclusion, in the northeastern of Brazil, which is one of the regions with the highest prevalence of gastric cancer in the country, infection with the most virulent H. pylori strains, carrying the cagA gene and s1m1 vacA alleles, predominates and is correlated with more severe H. pylori-associated diseases.

Polimorfismo da Interleucina-8 -251T>A e Helicobacter pylori / Interleukin-8 -251T>A polymorphism and Helicobacter pylori

Introdução: o Helicobacter pylori é um importante patógeno associado ao desenvolvimento de gastrite crônica, úlcera péptica e doenças gástricas. Vários autores relataram que a infiltração de células inflamatórias, incluindo neutrófilos, é um traço da patologia da mucosa gástrica associada com a infecção. Há evidências de que a inflamação está associada à gravidade das lesões gástricas. A interleucina 8 (IL-8), um membro da família das citocinas, é um ativador quimiotático de neutrófilos e linfócitos e tem sido descrito que o aumento dos níveis de IL-8 na mucosa gástrica pode estar associado com a infecção por H.pylori. Objetivos: os objetivos deste trabalho foram (i) caracterizar o polimorfismo da Interleucina-8 -251T>A (ii) e verificar a possível relação entre este polimorfismo e infecção por H.pylori. Métodos: cento e sessenta pacientes sintomáticos (com idade média de 48,7 anos) participaram do estudo: 107 pacientes positivos para H.pylori e 53 negativos, previamente diagnosticados por PCR. Os genótipos da IL-8 -251 T>A foram determinados através da reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) e utilização de enzimas de restrição (RFLP). Resultados e Conclusões: nossos resultados indicam que não há associação entre o polimorfismo da IL-8 -251 T>A e a infecção por H.pylori ou pelo gênero dos pacientes.

Background: Helicobacter pylori is an important pathogen associated with the development of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease and gastric disease. Several authors reported that the infiltration of inflammatory cells, including neutrophils is the trace of the pathology of gastric mucosa, associated with the infection. There is high evidence that inflammation is associated with severity of gastric lesions. Interleukin-8 (IL-8), a member of cytokines family, is an activator and chemoattractant of neutrophils and lymphocytes. It has been reported that increased gastric mucosal levels of IL-8 is associated with H. pylori infection. Objective: the objectives of this paper were (i) characterize Interleukin-8 -251T>A polymorphism and (ii) to examine the possible relationship between this polymorphism and the H. pylori infection. Methods: one hundred and sixty patients, (with a mean age 48.7 years) presenting recurrent abdominal pain participated in the study: 107 H. pylori positives and 53 H. pylori negatives previously diagnosed by PCR. IL8 -251T>A genotypes were determined using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Results and Conclusions: our findings indicate that there is no association of IL-8 -251T>A with H. pylori-infected patients or gender of these patients and these conclusions were consistent with other reports from different population samples.

Gastric Helicobacter spp. infection in captive neotropical Brazilian feline

Ten captive neotropical Brazilian feline were submitted to gastroscopic examination and samples of gastric mucosa from fundus, corpus and pyloric antrum were evaluated for the presence of Helicobacter species. Warthin-Starry (WS) staining and PCR assay with species-specific primers and enzymatic cleavage were applied for bacterial detection and identification. Histological lesions were evaluated by haematoxylin and eosin staining. All animals showed normal gross aspect of gastric mucosa. Helicobacter heilmannii was confirmed in 100 percent of the samples by WS and PCR assay. Mild lymphocytic infiltrate in the lamina propria was observed in eight animals, mainly in the fundus region. Small lymphoid follicles were seen in three animals. No significant association between Helicobacter infection and histological findings was verified. These observations suggest that gastric Helicobacter spp. could be a commensal or a eventual pathogen to captive neotropical feline, and that procedures, way life, and stress level on the shelter apparently had no negative repercussion over the integrity of the stomach.

Tratamento e retratamento do Helicobacter pylori / Treatment and retreatment of Helicobacter pylori

O Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) é o responsável pela mais prevalente infecção dos seres humanos. Aproximadamente metade da população mundial é portadora dessa bactéria e, no Brasil, a prevalência da infecção é de aproximadamente 60%. Apesar disso, os meios de transmissão do H. pylori ainda não estão totalmente estabelecidos. A infecção está claramente associada com diversas doenças, como úlcera péptica, adenocarcinoma gástrico e linfoma gástrico tipo MALT (mucosal associated lymphoid tissue). Parte da literatura aceita que o H. pylori seja uma das causas da dispepsia funcional, pelo menos em subgrupo dos pacientes com essa doença. Existem evidências de que o H. pylori esteja associado a manifestações extradigestivas. A identificação da infecção pode ser feita com procedimentos não invasivos e invasivos (usando a endoscopia). Embora nenhum consenso preconize o tratamento indiscriminado de todos os portadores do H. pylori, visto que a maioria é assintomática e não irá apresentar problemas em decorrência da infecção, a erradicação está inquestionavelmente indicada em algumas situações clínicas, como no tratamento das úlceras pépticas associadas ao H. pylori. A erradicação da infecção não é simples e os esquemas terapêuticos necessitam associação de múltiplos agentes farmacológicos. Mesmo com a utilização de complexas associações de antibióticos com bloqueadores da secreção gástrica, significativa parcela dos pacientes não consegue eliminar a bactéria e necessita retratamento com diferentes esquemas terapêuticos. Esta revisão aborda aspectos da infecção pelo H. pylori, do seu diagnóstico, das indicações para o tratamento e quais os esquemas terapêuticos mais indicados para a erradicação da bactéria.

Diagnóstico molecular da infecção pelo helicobacter pylori em mucosa gástrica / Molecular diagnosis of helicobacter pylori infection in the gastric mucosal

Introdução: Helicobacter pylori uma bactéria que coloniza mucosa gástrica, associada fortemente com doenças gástricas e adenocarcinoma gástrico. Interações que envolvemfatores ambientais, do hospedeiro e da bactéria têm sido associadas com a progressão da doença gástrica e fatores de virulência, como a citotoxina vacualizante (vacA), e cito toxina associada (cagA), têm sido associados como fatores de virulência da bactéria. Objetivo: padronização do Diagnóstico Molecular da Infecção pelo Helicobacter pylori no Laboratório de Biologia Molecular das Faculdades Integradas de Durinhos. Método: extração de DNA de biópsia gástrica, através do Kit Wizarg SV Genomic DNA Purification e Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase utilizando primers que amplificam genes específicos do Helicobacter pylori. Resultados: todas as amplificações foram padronizadas de acordo com as condições utilizadas com os primers específicos para amplificação gênica do H. pylori. Considerações Finais: o estudo proposto alcançou seus objetivos que foi a padronização molecular da infecção pela bactéria H. pylori em mucosa gástrica de indivíduos infectados, fornecendo desta forma uma nova ferramenta e técnica extremamente sensível para detecção da infecção pelo bactéria de maneira rápida e precisa.

lntroduction: Helicobacter pylori a bacterium to colonize human gastric mucosa, hás been strongly associated with gastric diseases and gastric cancer. lnteractions involving environmental, host and bacterial factors seem to associated with gastric diseases progression and virulences factors like vacuolating cytotoxin (vacA), and Associated Cytotoxin (cagA),has been associated like virulencefactors from bacterium. Objective: standardization of Molecular Diagnostics of infection by Helicobacter pylori in the Laboratory of Molecular Biology of the Faculty of lntegrated Ourinhos. Methods: DNA extraction from gastric biopses through the kit Wizarg SV Genomic DNA Purification and Polymerase Chain Reaction. using primers that ampliefied especif genes from Helicobacter pylori. Results: ali amplifications were standardized in accordance with the terms used with specific primersfor amplification of the gene H. pylori. Final Considerations: the proposed study has achieved its objectives which was the standardization of molecular infection by the bacteria H. pylori in gastric mucosa of infected individuais, thus providing a new tool and extremely sensitive technique to detect infection by the bacteria quickly and accurately.

Yuanji huofa based Treatment of Splenic-gastric Diseases / 中华中医药杂志

In the several years,clinical practice,Professor LU Zhi-zheng has accumulated abundant experiences in the treatment of splenic-gastric diseases,and developed a unique treatment system of splenic-gastric diseases. Through the analysis of the recent cases dealt with by Professor LU Zhi-zheng,fi ve features of treatment are preliminarily summarized,i.e. combination of dryness and moisture,independence of increase and decrease upon each other,co-utilization of coldness and warmth,simultaneous application of reducing and nourishing therapies and co-treatment of splenic and gastric diseases,which fully embody the dialectical treating philosophy of Yuan-ji-huo-fa of Professor LU Zhi-zheng,and such treating method is of considerable guiding signifi cance for us to cure the splenic-gastric diseases and other diffi cult and complicated diseases by treating the splenic-gastric diseases.

Discussion on clinical experience for aged gastric diseases / 中华中医药杂志

By the visceral syndrome differentiation theory,aged gastric diseases can be divided into six types such as cold pathogen damaging stomach,incoordination between the liver and stomach,internal stagnation of phlegm and damp,gastric heat flourishing,stagnation of stomach collateral,defi ciency of stomach yin.According to their characteristics,we use medicine of dispelling phlegm and dissolving stagnated blood in clinic,to discuss the curative effect of Chinese traditional medicines on aged gastric diseases.Through clinical observation on aged gastric diseases,the curative effect of dispelling phlegm and dissolving stagnated blood is better than that of the single therapy.

Study on morphology of gastric mucosa in rats with portal hypertension / 中国普通外科杂志

Objective To investigate the pathogenesis of portal hypertensive gastropathy(PHG). Methods Two rat models with portal hypertension(PHT) and a sham operation group were established to detect the pathological changes in histology and ultrastructure of the gastric mucosa as well as quantitative changes in histological morphology by graphic analysis computer system. Results Prominent edema, scattered red dots/ecchymosis were found in gastric mucosa in rats with PHT. Light and scan electron microscopy showed swelling or exfoliating of the epithelium cell, reduction of gastric gland number, thin of gastric mucosa, while infiltration of inflammatory cells, epithelium metaplasia were not found. The most characteristic findings were the changes of the mucosal capillaries and venules in both mucosal basal lamina and submucosa layer light microscopically, as well as the transmutation, stenosis and loose intercellular joining of the capillaries on electron microscopy. Ultrastructure observation revealed numerous pinocytes in epithelial cells as well as proliferation and hyperplasia of smooth muscle, collagenous fiber and extracellular matrix in venules. Quantitative analysis showed that the ratios of the cross sectional area and the vascular wall area between the gastric wall area(CSA/GWA & VWA/GWA) was higher in liver cirrhosis(LC) and portal vein stenosis(PVS) groups than that in sham operation(SO) group. There was a positive correlation between portal vein pressure and the ratio of the length of damaged mucosa and the length of mucosa(LDM/LM that was higher in LC group than in PVS group). Conclusions In rats with cirrhotic portal hypertension, distinct gastric microvascular morphological changes are the major etiological factor of PHG as a part of pathological changes in portal hypertension.

Clinical Observation on Treatment of 288 Cases of Correlative Gastric Diseases Infected by Pyloric Helicobacterium with Kang Wei Granules / 中医杂志

Kang Wei Granules which can strengthen the spleen, replenish Qi, clear away heat and remove dampness was used to treat 288 cases of correlative gastric disease infected by pyloric helicobacterium. Seventy-four cases were treated with triple therapy (Bismuth being the mainly ingradient) as control group. Results indicated that the treatment group was significantly superior to the control group in improvment of main symptoms, especially for the types of deficiency of spleen and stamach, and internal accumulation of dampnes-heat (P 0. 05). It is suggested that Kang Wei Granules has a better clinical therapeutic effect for treatment of correlative gastric disease infected by pyloric helicobacterium.

The Association between Blood Selenium Level and the Gastric Diseases / 예방의학회지

To reveal the association between blood selenium level and the gastric diseases, 180 persons received the gastrofiberscopic examination at the outpatients department of the two university hospitals from July to September 1987, after the exclusion of the persons having the esophageal varix, were randomly selected. Their general characteristics such as age, sex and educational level and so on, were investigated. Five microliter venous blood was collected from each subjects and stored at 0 degrees C in heparinized vaccum tube. The blood selenium level was measured by the flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. In the procedure of data analysis, five subjects having benign tumor and anomaly of the stomach, were also excluded. The mean blood selenium levels of the 155.5 microgram/l among gastritis cases, the 154.8 microgram/l gastric ulcer and the 133.0 microgram/l gastric malignancy were significantly lower(p<0.05) than that of the 173.3 microgram/l among normal controls. In men the mean blood selenium levels among gastritis, gastric ulcer and gastric malignancy cases were significantly lower(p<0.05) than that among normal controls. In females, the mean blood selenium levels among gastritis and gastric maligancy cases were significantly lower(P<0.05) than that among normal controls(169.7 microgram/l), buy that among gastric ulcer cases(177.7 microgram/l) was not significantly higher. In the logistic analysis, coefficient of the blood selenium level was -0.0436(p<0.05 ; odds ratio 0.957) for gastritis, -0.0197(p=0.17 ; 0.981) for gastric ulcer, -0.4876(p<0.05 ; 0.614) for gastric malignancy and -0.0411(p<0.05 ; 0.960) for gastric diseases including the gastritis, the gastric ulcer and the gastric malignancy. These data support the hypothesis that the gastric diseases are to be associated with the low selenium level but, for the gastric ulcer, the further research is recommended.