Increased p53 expression in the malignant transformation of Barrett's esophagus is accompanied by an upward shift of the proliferative compartment.

Neoplastic progression in Barrett's esophagus (BE) occurs by a multistep process associated with early molecular and morphological changes. This study evaluated cell proliferation and p53 expression and their correlation in the development and progression of esophageal adenocarcinoma. PCNA and p53 expressions were analyzed in biopsy samples by immunohistochemistry including patients with reflux esophagitis, BE, BE with concomitant esophagitis, Barrett's dysplasia, esophageal adenocarcinoma and a control group without any histological changes.

Relationship between eradication of Helicobacter pylori and gastric mucosal superoxide dismutase activity.

Background: Helicobacter pylori (HP) is the main pathogenic factor in the development of gastritis and gastric cancer. Superoxide-dismutase (SOD) is a key enzyme of mucosal antioxidant protection. In the presence of HP there is a significant increase of SOD activity in the antrum.

[Free radical scavenger and lipid peroxidation inhibiting effects of medicinal plants used in phytotherapy].

Epidemiological and clinical studies have proved the beneficial effect of bioactive compounds of vegetables and medicinal plants used in phytotherapy on prevention of several diseases. Beyond the well-known natural antioxidants, such as vitamins, other natural substances can function as antioxidants. In 1992 the Saas Fee Declaration was published by leader nutritionist and biochemists underlining the importance of prevention in health maintenance based on scientific studies with natural compounds.

Long-term omeprazole and esomeprazole treatment does not significantly increase gastric epithelial cell proliferation and epithelial growth factor receptor expression and has no effect on apoptosis and p53 expression.

Aim: To study the effect of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment on patients with reflux esophagitis and its in vivo effect on apoptosis, p53- and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression.

Methods: After informed consent was obtained, gastric biopsies of the antrum were taken from patients with reflux oesophagitis prior to and after 6 mo of 20 mg omeprazole (n = 14) or 40 mg esomeprazole (n = 12) therapy. Patients did not take any other medications known to affect the gastric mucosa.

[Cytokines, prostaglandins, nutritive and non-nuitritive factors in inflammatory bowel diseases].

Therapeutic interventions in the case of gastrointestinal disease are based on the understanding of the role of different inflammatory mediators. Reactive O2 and N2 metabolites are involved in IBD. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, apoptosis signalling and redox-response transcription factors are depended on free radicals.

[Redox homeostasis in inflammatory bowel diseases].

Janus faced oxygen radicals are secondary messengers of intracellular signal transduction pathways but also cytotoxic agents of cells. Activation of signal transduction proteins on mild oxidant stress and metal elements are still not clearly understood. Oxygen free radicals may have several functions in the expression of cytokines associated with inflammatory bowel disease.

Lower prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with inflammatory bowel disease but not with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - antibiotic use in the history does not play a significant role.

Background: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease have lower prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection, but the exact reason for this is not yet clear.

Aim: To examine whether the antibiotics frequently used in inflammatory bowel disease are responsible for the lower prevalence of H. pylori infection.

[Chemoprevention of colorectal cancer].

Although colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer, it remains the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Primary prevention involves the identification and elimination of factors, which cause or promote colorectal cancer. The goal of screening is to prevent colorectal cancer mortality through the detection and treatment of premalignant adenomas and curable-stage cancer.

Superoxide-dismutase activity of the gastric mucosa in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection.

Background: Helicobacter pylori (HP) is a pathogenic factor in the development of different alterations in the gastric mucosa. Superoxide-dismutase (SOD) is a key enzyme of mucosal antioxidant protection. We have detected changes in the activity of mucosal SOD in different diseases caused by HP.

Quality of life assessment after pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy in chronic pancreatitis.

Goals: To evaluate the quality of life (QoL) of patients with chronic pancreatitis before and after pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy in a prospective, multicentre, follow-up study.

Study: Two groups of patients were evaluated. Group 1 consisted of 31 patients with newly diagnosed chronic pancreatitis who had never been treated with pancreatic enzyme preparations.

[Failure of Helicobacter pylori eradication--suggestions for further therapy].

Success of first H. pylori eradication attempts in the literature is around 80-90% and based on urea breath test of 1027 patients in Hungary is 75%. Repeated eradication attempts are needed in 10-25% of cases.

Immediate DNA ploidy analysis of gastrointestinal biopsies taken by endoscopy using a mechanical dissociation device.

Background: Quantitative DNA analysis of fresh biopsy material can contribute to a more accurate diagnosis and prognosis. The authors aimed to develop and test a mechanical, nuclear preparation protocol for quantitative DNA analysis.

Patients And Methods: Altogether 32 gastric (10 healthy, 17 gastritis, 7 adenocarcinoma) and 48 colon (21 healthy, 20 colitis ulcerosa, 7 adenocarcinoma) biopsy specimens were evaluated.

Mutant p53 expression and apoptotic activity of Helicobacter pylori positive and negative gastritis in correlation with the presence of intestinal metaplasia.

Background: Mutation of the p53 gene is detectable in most cases of gastric cancer, as it is the most common genetic alteration in human malignancies. It is also well documented that Helicobacter pylori infection plays an important role in gastric carcinogenesis. There is still no clarification, however, concerning how genetic instability influences the homeostasis of gastric epithelium.

Effect of Helicobacter pylori infection on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression and cell proliferation of gastric epithelial mucosa: correlation to macroscopic and microscopic diagnosis.

Our aim was to compare the expression of EGFR and proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in different histological and endoscopic diagnostic groups, in cases of Helicobacter pylori infection, in vivo. Paraffin embedded human gastric biopsy samples (86) were analysed by EGFR and PCNA immunohistochemistry and classified both on the basis of histology and endoscopic findings. In normal epithelia (NE), a positive correlation was found between PCNA and EGFR and in H.

[Quality of life in the course of enzyme replacement therapy for chronic pancreatitis].

Aim: The ultimate goal of any treatment in chronic pancreatitis is to maximize the patient's quality of life. The authors evaluated the QoL of patients with chronic pancreatitis prior to and after pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy in a prospective, multicenter, follow-up study.

Patients And Methods: Two groups of patients were evaluated.

[Carcinoid tumors].

Carcinoids are characteristically indolent, but heterogeneous tumors with respect to their site of origin, endocrine features, clinical manifestations and biologic behaviour. The authors summarize the current laboratory, endoscopic and radiologic methods used for the diagnosis of carcinoid tumors. Treatment modalities should be directed against the tumor and the hormonal excess state.

[Neuroendocrine tumors of the digestive system].

Despite their rare occurrence, gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors have been in the centre of interest because of the wide scale and variability of clinical signs and symptoms associated with oversecretion of different hormones. In the present review the authors summarize epidemiological data, pathologic findings, clinical symptoms, as well as diagnostic and therapeutic methods presently available for the management of patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. In addition to surgical treatment and receptor-specific radionuclide therapy used in cases with surgically noncurable tumors, the therapeutic use of somatostatin analogues in recent years has resulted an important advance in the management of patients with these tumors.