Bismuth subsalicylate increases intracellular Ca2+, MAP-kinase activity, and cell proliferation in normal human gastric mucous epithelial cells.

Clinical and laboratory studies have shown that bismuth subsalicylate (BSS) is helpful in the healing of gastric ulcers because of the bactericidal effects of bismuth (Bi3+) on H. pylori. Bismuth or BSS has also been reported to possess other nonbactericidal or "gastroprotective" effects in the stomach.

Effects of Helicobacter pylori on intracellular Ca2+ signaling in normal human gastric mucous epithelial cells.

In stomach, Helicobacter pylori (Hp) adheres to gastric mucous epithelial cells (GMEC) and initiates several different signal transduction events. Alteration of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) is an important signaling mechanism in numerous bacteria-host model systems. Changes in [Ca2+]i induced by Hp in normal human GMEC have not yet been described; therefore, we examined effects of Hp on [Ca2+]i in normal human GMEC and a nontransformed GMEC line (HFE-145).