Dietary habits and Helicobacter pylori infection: is there an association?

Prevalence and associated risk factors of Helicobacter pylori infection in community households in Lanzhou city

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection exhibits a familial clustering phenomenon.

AIM

To investigate the prevalence of H. pylori infection, identify associated factors, and analyze patterns of transmission within families residing in the community.

METHODS

From July 2021 to September 2021, a total of 191 families (519 people) in two randomly chosen community health service centers in the Chengguan District of Lanzhou in Gansu Province, were recruited to fill out questionnaires and tested for H. pylori infection. Individuals were followed up again from April 2023 and June 2023 to test for H. pylori infection. The relationship between variables and H. pylori infection was analyzed using logistic regression and generalized linear mixed models.

RESULTS

In 2021, the individual-based H. pylori infection rate was found to be 47.0% (244/519), which decreased to 38.1% (177/464) in 2023. Additionally, the rate of individual-based H. pylori new infection was 22.8% (55/241). The family-based H. pylori infection rate in 2021 was 76.9% (147/191), which decreased to 67.1% (116/173) in 2023, and the rate of family-based H. pylori new infection was 38.6% (17/44). Individual H. pylori infection was positively correlated with age, body mass index (BMI), eating food that was excessively hot, frequent acid reflux, bloating, and halitosis symptoms, and negatively correlated with family size and nut consumption. New individual H. pylori infection was positively correlated with BMI, other types of family structures, drinking purified water, and frequent heartburn symptoms, while negatively correlated with the use of refrigerators and following a regular eating schedule. A larger living area was an independent protective factor for H. pylori infection in households. Frequently consuming excessively hot food and symptoms of halitosis were independent risk factors for H. pylori infection in individuals; frequent consumption of nuts was an independent protective factor for H. pylori infection. Other types of family structure, drinking purified water, and frequent heartburn symptoms were independent risk factors for new individual H. pylori infection; the use of a refrigerator was an independent protective factor for new H. pylori infections.

CONCLUSION

The household H. pylori infection rate in Lanzhou is relatively high and linked to socio-demographic factors and lifestyles. Eradication efforts and control of related risk factors are recommended in the general population.

Hibiscus sabdariffa as a Novel Alternative Strategy Against Helicobacter pylori Infection Development to Gastric Cancer

Most gastric cancers (95%) are related to an initial Helicobacter pylori infection worldwide. Treatments against this pathogen include a mix of antibiotics, antimicrobials, and proton-pump inhibitors. Over time, H. pylori mutated, generating resistance to treatments and making it hard to combat its infection. The purpose of this review is Hibiscus sabdariffa, commonly known as hibiscus, as a potential agent for anti-H. pylori activity. Scientific interest has increased toward plant-derived bioactive compounds, which have the ability to enhance the antibiotic effect and can lead to the development of new drugs, such is the case for H. sabdariffa. In general, studies show that natural products, such as plant-derived bioactive compounds, can be used as alternative treatments from natural origin against the pathogen. The specific action mechanism of these bioactive compounds is still controversial, but it is suggested that they have an anti-inflammatory effect, and they also act as antibiotic coadjutants. Research has been conducted regarding different bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, epicatechins, alkaloids, and caryophyllenes. H. sabdariffa contains several of these compounds; therefore, more studies are needed to establish its effect against H. pylori.

Chebulinic acid isolated from aqueous extracts of Terminalia chebula Retz inhibits Helicobacter pylori infection by potential binding to Cag A protein and regulating adhesion

Background

Terminalia chebula Retz, known as the King of Tibet, is considered a functional food in China, celebrated for its antioxidant, immune-modulating, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Chebulinic acid, derived from aqueous extracts of Terminalia chebula Retz, is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. However, its potential as an anti-Helicobacter pylori (HP) agent has not been fully explored.

Methods

Herein, we extracted the main compound from Terminalia chebula Retz using a semi-preparative liquid chromatography (LC) system and identified compound 5 as chebulinic acid through Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-MS/MS (UPLC-MS/MS) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). To evaluate its role, we conducted minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays, scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging, inhibiting kinetics curves, urea fast test, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, western blot analysis, griess reagent system, and molecular docking.

Results

Our results showed that chebulinic acid effectively inhibited the growth of the HP strain ATCC 700392, damaged the HP structure, and exhibited selective antimicrobial activity without affecting normal epithelial cells GES-1. Importantly, it suppressed the expression of Cytotoxin-associated gene A (Cag A) protein, a crucial factor in HP infection. Molecular docking analysis predicted a strong affinity (-9.7 kcal/mol) between chebulinic acid and Cag A protein.

Conclusion

Overall, our findings suggest that chebulinic acid acts as an anti-adhesive agent, disrupting the adhesion of HP to host cells, which is a critical step in HP infection. It also suppresses the Cag A protein. These results highlight the potential of chebulinic acid against HP infections.

Association between dietary pattern and Helicobacter pylori infection at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kota Kinabalu: A case-control study

BACKGROUND

Limited studies have reported the association between dietary patterns and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in Sabah.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess the association between dietary pattern and H. pylori infection among patients aged 18 years and above that went for first esophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGDS) in 2021 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), Kota Kinabalu.

METHODS

Dietary intake of positive H. pylori was compared with healthy subjects by using questionnaire adapted from Malaysian Adult Nutrition Survey (MANS) 2014. Using logistic regression models, we evaluated the association between dietary pattern and H. pylori infection risk.

FINDINGS

Our finding identified four dietary patterns, namely "high carbohydrate pattern", "high fiber pattern", "high fat/cholesterol pattern" and "high salt pattern". After adjustment for potential confounders, the highest quartile of "high salt pattern" showed greater odds of H. pylori infection (OR = 1.26; 95% Cl: 1.032-1.459; P = 0.045) than lowest quartile, while highest quartile of "high fiber pattern" demonstrated lower odd of the infection (OR = 0.69; 95% Cl: 0.537-0.829; P = 0.008) than those in lowest quartile. If compared with Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) 2017, positive H. pylori consumed high carbohydrates and sodium with insufficient fiber intake.

CONCLUSION

To conclude, "high fiber pattern" lowers the risk of H. pylori infection while "high salt pattern" increases the infection risk. Our study also highlighted the importance of nutrient intake within daily allowances.

1,3,6-Trigalloylglucose: A Novel Potent Anti-Helicobacter pylori Adhesion Agent Derived from Aqueous Extracts of Terminalia chebula Retz

1,3,6-Trigalloylglucose is a natural compound that can be extracted from the aqueous extracts of ripe fruit of Terminalia chebula Retz, commonly known as "Haritaki". The potential anti-Helicobacter pylori (HP) activity of this compound has not been extensively studied or confirmed in scientific research. This compound was isolated using a semi-preparative liquid chromatography (LC) system and identified through Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-MS/MS (UPLC-MS/MS) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). Its role was evaluated using Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assay, scanning electron microscope (SEM), inhibiting kinetics curves, urea fast test, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, Western blot, and Griess Reagent System. Results showed that this compound effectively inhibits the growth of HP strain ATCC 700392, damages the HP structure, and suppresses the Cytotoxin-associated gene A (Cag A) protein, a crucial factor in HP infection. Importantly, it exhibits selective antimicrobial activity without impacting normal epithelial cells GES-1. In vitro studies have revealed that 1,3,6-Trigalloylglucose acts as an anti-adhesive agent, disrupting the adhesion of HP to host cells, a critical step in HP infection. These findings underscore the potential of 1,3,6-Trigalloylglucose as a targeted therapeutic agent against HP infections.