Aim: To study trends in morphological changes of gastric mucosa (GM) and its functional characteristics (serum gastrin-17, pepsinogens I and II) in eradication of Helicobacter pylori (HP) in patients with duodenal ulcer (DU).
Material and methods: HP infection was detected with a rapid urease test, morphological study of gastrobiopsies and polymerase chain reaction in 59 patients with DU. The results of HP eradication were assessed two months after the treatment. Morphological study of gastrobiopsies, assays for gastrin-17, pepsinogens I and II in blood serum were made before the treatment and one year after HP eradication.
Results: By the results of eradication two groups were formed: with effective eradication and uneffective eradication of H. pylori. Examination of GM one year after successful H. pylori eradication in DU patients GM inflammation relieved: reduction in polymorphonuclear (by 42.6%), mononuclear (by 29.3%) infiltration and number of lymphocytic follicules (16.8-fold). GM atrophy decreased by 47.8%. In patients with uneffective eradication the above positive changes were not registered. After H. pylori eradication, serum gastrin-17 lowered by 46. 7%, pepsinogen I--by 30.5%, pepsinogen II--by 36.9%. In uneffective eradication this decrease did not occur.
Conclusion: H. pylori eradication leads to positive changes in morphological and functional indices reflecting GM condition.