Helicobacter pylori induces apoptosis of rat gastric epithelial cells in vitro

Effects of rabbit serum containing Yiqi Qingre Formula and its decomposed recipes on type I Helicobacter pylori-induced apoptosis of GES-1 cells in vitro

AIM: To observe the effects of rabbit serum containing Qi-replenishing heat-clearing formula (Yiqi Qingre Formula) and its decomposed recipes on type ⅠHelicobacter pylori (H pylori) -induced GES-1 cell apoptosis and to explore its mechanism.

METHODS: Rabbit sera saline, containing amoxicillin, Yiqi Qingre Formula, Huangqi or Huangqin were prepared. The model of type Ⅰ H pylori-induced GES-1 cell injury was established and co-cultured with the individually complete culture fluid of 100 mL/L rabbit serum for 48 h. Then, cells were collected and fixed, followed by identification of apoptosis using flow cytometry and Hoechst33258 fluorescent staining.

RESULTS: Apoptosis rate of type ⅠH pylori-infected GES-1 cells remarkedly increased in the saline group, while it was decreased either by amoxicillin, Yiqi Qingre Formula, Huangqi or Huangqin (1.3633 ± 0.4229, 2.1925 ± 0.6779, 1.7967 ± 0.6987, 1.4740 ± 0.4156 vs 16.6229 ± 8.5087, P < 0.01 or 0.05). The coincidence rate determined using flow cytometry and Hoechst33258 fluorescent staining was high.

CONCLUSION: Yiqi Qingre Formula has the effects of alleviating type ⅠH pylori-induced gastric epithelial cell injury through inhibition of cell apoptosis, thus maintaining cell growth.

Correlations of Helicobacter pylori infection with the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor and fibroblast growth factor receptor-2 in gastric mucosa and their significances

AIM: To study the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and fibroblast growth factor receptor-2 (FGFR-2) in gastric mucosal epithelia with H. pylori infection and their significances in the carcinogenesis of stomach cancer.

METHODS: A total of 30 patients with chronic superficial gastritis (CGS), 29 with intestinal metaplasia (IM), 31 with dysplasia (Dys) and 55 with gastric cancer (GC) were included in this study. The expression of bFGF and FGFR-2 were assessed by immunohistochemistry (SP method). Rapid urease test and histological examination with Warthin-Starry were used to determine the status of H. pylori infection.

RESULTS: The expression of bFGF and FGFR-2 in CSG patients were significantly lower than those in the other patients (IM: χ² = 4.002, P < 0.05; χ² = 4.163, P < 0.05; Dys: χ² = 15.779, P = 0.000; χ² = 15.949, P = 0.000; GC: χ² = 24.110, P = 0.000; χ² = 18.736, P = 0.000). The expression of bFGF and FGFR-2 in IM patients were significantly lower than those in Dys and GC patients (Dys: χ² = 4.258, P < 0.05; χ² = 4.212, P < 0.05; GC: χ² = 7.786, P < 0.01; χ² = 4.687, P < 0.05). But there was no significant difference between Dys and GC patients. The positive rates of bFGF and FGFR-2 expression were significantly higher in H. pylori-infected IM and Dys patients than those in the patients without H. pylori infection (IM: χ² = 10.076, P < 0.01; χ² = 7.535, P < 0.01; Dys: χ² = 11.501, P < 0.01; χ² = 8.330, P < 0.01). The positive rates of bFGF and FGFR-2 expression in H. pylori-infected Dys patients were significantly higher than those in GC group (bFGF: χ² = 4.201, P < 0.05; FGFR-2: χ² = 3.982, P < 0.05), while no significant difference was found between GC and IM patients. The expression of bFGF in Dys and IM patients without H. pylori infection were significantly lower than that in GC patients (Dys: χ² = 5.736, P < 0.05; IM: χ² = 17.113, P = 0.000), and FGFR-2 expression in H. pylori-negative IM patients was significant lower than that in GC patients (χ² = 11.091, P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between H. pylori-negative Dys and GC patients.

CONCLUSION: H. pylori may induce over-expression of bFGF and FGFR-2 in gastric mucosal epithelia, which may play a vital role in the carcinogenesis of stomach cancer.