[Coordinated expression of c-Myc and telomerase activity in Helicobacter pylori infected gastric diseases].

Objective: To detect the telomerase activity and c-Myc expression in gastric diseases and to examine the relation between these values and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) as a risk factor for gastric cancer.

Methods: 171 gastric samples were studied to detect telomerase activity with telomerase polymerase chain reaction enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and c-Myc expression using immunohistochemistry.

Results: Telomerase activity and c-Myc expression were higher in cancers (87.7% and 61.5%) than in noncancerous tissues. Telomerase activity and c-Myc expression were higher in chronic atrophic gastritis with moderate or severe intestinal metaplasia (52.4% and 47.6%) than in chronic atrophic gastritis with mild intestinal metaplasia (13.3% and 16.7%). In chronic atrophic gastritis with moderate or severe intestinal metaplasia, telomerase activity and c-Myc expression were higher in cases with Hp infection (67.9% and 67.9%) than in these without infection (21.4% and 7.1%). c-Myc expression was higher in gastric cancer with Hp infection (77.3%) than that without infection (28.6%). Telomerase activity and c-Myc expression were coordinately up-regulated in Hp infected gastric cancer and chronic atrophic gastritis with moderate or severe intestinal metaplasia.

Conclusions: Hp infection may influence both c-Myc expression and telomerase activity in gastric diseases, especially in chronic atrophic gastritis. c-Myc and telomerase co-expressed in gastric cancer and chronic atrophic gastritis with moderate or severe intestinal metaplasia.