Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study sought to evaluate biomarkers of oxidative stress among H pylori infected patients in relation to neoplastic transformation within the gastric mucosa. METHODS: This study included 191 H. pylori-positive patients: 14 healthy individuals, 40 with chronic gastritis, 69 with atrophic gastritis, 22 with intestinal metaplasia, and 46 with dysplasia. H. pylori was detected on biopsies samples. Hematein/eosin staining was used for the histologic examination of gastric mucosa. Reduced glutathione (GHS) and malondialdehyde (MAD) content, activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were measured in serum. RESULTS: The serum levels of GSH were higher among patients with chronic gastritis (P = 0.0277), atrophic gastritis (P = 0.0451), and dysplasia (P = 0.0069) compared to the controls. The highest concentration of GHS was recorded in dysplasia (P = 0.0157). The content of lipid peroxidation products (MAD) significantly increased in patients with gastric pre-malignancies compared to the controls (P ˂ 0.0001). SOD activity was higher among patients with gastric mucosa injury compared to the controls, with the highest concentration in metaplasia (P = 0.0182). Catalase activity was similar to that of superoxide dismutase (P> 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings showed significant higher and progressive serum levels of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant protective factors with progression in precancerous lesions related to H. pylori infection. This suggests a higher free radical formation and oxidative stress, which increases from chronic gastritis to malignancy.