ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the expression of Ki-67 protein in stomach mucosa in H. pylori-associated chronic atrophic gastritis according to the stage of atrophy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The immunohistochemical and histological study of gastric mucosal biopsies from dyspeptic patients was performed. The new international system of gastric musocal atrophy staging (OLGA) was used. RESULTS: The rates of cellular proliferation increase along the rising of the stage of stomach mucosal atrophy in Hpylori-associated chronic atrophic gastritis. CONCLUSIONS: In H. pylori-associated chronic atrophic gastritis, the acceleration of the cellular renewal was revealed, proportional to a stage of gastric mucosal atrophy that implies the increase of risk of development of precancerous changes.