Abstract
BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a major risk factor for chronic gastritis, affecting approximately half of the global population. H. pylori eradication is a popular treatment method for H. pylori-positive chronic gastritis, but its mechanism remains unclear. Urinary metabolomics has been used to elucidate the mechanisms of gastric disease treatment. However, no clinical study has been conducted on urinary metabolomics of chronic gastritis. AIM: To elucidate the urinary metabolic profiles during H. pylori eradication in patients with chronic gastritis. METHODS: We applied LC-MS-based metabolomics and network pharmacology to investigate the relationships between urinary metabolites and H. pylori-positive chronic gastritis via a clinical follow-up study. RESULTS: Our study revealed the different urinary metabolic profiles of H. pylori-positive chronic gastritis before and after H. pylori eradication. The metabolites regulated by H. pylori eradication therapy include cis-aconitic acid, isocitric acid, citric acid, L-tyrosine, L-phenylalanine, L-tryptophan, and hippuric acid, which were involved in four metabolic pathways: (1) Phenylalanine metabolism; (2) phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis; (3) citrate cycle; and (4) glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism. Integrated metabolomics and network pharmacology revealed that MPO, COMT, TPO, TH, EPX, CMA1, DDC, TPH1, and LPO were the key proteins involved in the biological progress of H. pylori eradication in chronic gastritis. CONCLUSION: Our research provides a new perspective for exploring the significance of urinary metabolites in evaluating the treatment and prognosis of H. pylori-positive chronic gastritis patients.