Abstract

AIMS--To investigate the role of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) in patients infected with Helicobacter pylori. METHODS--The study population comprised 52 patients with dyspepsia attending for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Of these patients, 35 were infected with H pylori. IL-8 and TNF concentrations in plasma, gastric juice, and gastric biopsy homogenate supernatant fluid were measured by radioimmunoassay and L929 cell bioassay, respectively. RESULTS--The concentrations of IL-8 and TNF in gastric juice and gastric biopsy homogenates were substantially greater in patients infected with H pylori. In H pylori positive patients IL-8 concentrations in gastric juice and gastric biopsy homogenates were higher in those with moderate gastritis than in those with mild gastritis. There was a positive correlation between IL-8 and TNF concentrations in gastric juice and gastric biopsy homogenate supernatant fluid from H pylori positive patients. There were no significant differences between H pylori positive and negative patients with respect to IL-8 and TNF plasma concentrations. CONCLUSION--This study suggests that increased gastric production of IL-8 and TNF may be implicated in the pathogenesis of H pylori associated gastroduodenal disease.