Expression of NF-κB in Helicobacter pylori infection

Helicobacter pylori colonizes the gastric mucosa in humans and causes chronic gastritis. NF-kappa B has a key role as a mediator in mucosal inflammation. In this study, we examined the expression of NF-kappa B in the antral epithelial cells of H. pylori-infected and H. pylori-uninfected biopsies and examined these processes in relationship with grade and activity of gastritis, density of H. pylori, presence of the intestinal metaplasia, and atrophy. Fifty biopsies (35 H. pylori-positive patients and 15 H. pylori-negative controls) were studied. NF-kappa B immunohistochemical stain was performed. NF-kappa B activity in H. pylori-infected biopsies were markedly enhanced compared with uninflamed biopsies (P = 0.001). We also found positive correlation NF-kappa B expression with severity of gastritis (according to Sydney score) (P = 0.001), activity of gastrifis (P = 0.046) and H. pylori load (P < 0.001), and atrophy (P = 0.004). We did not find a significant relationship between NF-kappa B and the presence of intestinal metaplasia (P = 0.355). These findings suggested that expression of NF-kappa B has an important role in H. pylori gastritis.