Influence of H pylori on plasma ghrelin in patients without atrophic gastritis.

Aim: To determine the association between H pylori infection and serum ghrelin levels in patients without atrophic gastritis.

Methods: Fifty consecutive patients (24 males and 26 females) with either H pylori-positive gastritis (n = 34) or H pylori-negative gastritis (n = 16) with normal gastric acid secretion determined by 24-h pHmetry and without atrophic gastritis in histopathology were enrolled in this study. Thirty-four H pylori-infected patients were treated with triple therapy consisting of a daily regimen of 30 mg lansoprazole bid, 1 g amoxicillin bid and 500 mg clarithromycin bid for 14 d, followed by an additional 4 wk of 30 mg lansoprazol treatment. H pylori infection was eradicated in 23 of 34 (67.6%) patients. H pylori-positive patients were given eradication therapy. Gastric acidity was determined via intragastric pH catheters. Serum ghrelin was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA).

Results: There was no significant difference in plasma ghrelin levels between H pylori-positive and H pylori-negative groups (81.10 +/- 162.66 ng/L vs 76.51 +/- 122.94 ng/L). In addition, there was no significant difference in plasma ghrelin levels and gastric acidity levels measured before and 3 mo after the eradication therapy.

Conclusion: H pylori infection does not influence ghrelin secretion in patients with chronic gastritis without atrophic gastritis.