Helicobacter pylori and gastric diseases:: a dangerous association

The bacterium Helicobacter pylori is linked to the appearance of several gastric diseases and in particular is associated with a progression to gastric cancer. Thistrun -1 bacterium colonizes the gastric mucosa directly interacting with epithelial cells. It is well known that H. pylori is associated with alterations in the gastric epithelial cell cycle, and apoptosis, higher levels of mononuclear and neutrophilic infiltrates, more severe atrophy and intestinal metaplasia. In last years, two mechanisms that interact with each other or not have been proposed: the hyperproliferation of gastric cells and oxidative damage of stomach mucosa. In particular, cell cycle alterations induce mitogenic signals and proto-oncogene expression that may trigger the development of cancer. Contemporary, H. pylori is able to induce polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells that produce oxygen free radicals that could cause DNA damage to the adjacent cells leading to cancer development. Due to dangerous infection of this bacterium, the scientific community must point out its attention on the development of detection and prevention strategies. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.