Gastric mucosal changes induced by long term infection with Helicobacter pylori in Mongolian gerbils: effects of bacteria eradication

• Published in: Journal of physiology, Paris Vol. 95; no. 1; pp. 429 - 436
• Main Authors: Keto, Yoshihiro, Ebata, Misako, Okabe, Susumu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: France Elsevier Ltd 2001
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; Anti-Ulcer Agents - therapeutic use; Body Weight; Chronic Disease; Clarithromycin - therapeutic use; Eradication; Gastric adenocarcinoma; Gastric Mucosa - pathology; Gerbillinae; Helicobacter Infections - drug therapy; Helicobacter Infections - pathology; Helicobacter pylori; Male; Mongolian gerbils; Omeprazole - therapeutic use; Proton Pump Inhibitors; Time Factors; Gastric adenocarcinoma; Mongolian gerbils; Helicobacter pylori; Eradication
• ISSN: 0928-4257; 1769-7115
• DOI: 10.1016/S0928-4257(01)00059-6

Helicobacter pylori infection has been reported to induce various mucosal changes, including gastric adenocarcinoma, in Mongolian gerbils 62 weeks after inoculation. Using Mongolian gerbils, this study examined whether or not eradication of the bacteria with drugs at specified times after infection prevents the development of mucosal changes. After orally inoculating with H. pylori (TN2GF4, vacA- and cagA-positive), the animals were killed 18 months later. Four or 8 months after H. pylori inoculation, eradication was performed by concurrent treatment with omeprazole+clarithromycin. Immediately after treatment ended, in both the 5 and 9 month groups, it was verified that H. pylori was completely eradicated. Autopsy performed 18 months after H. pylori inoculation revealed gastric hyperplastic polyps with erosive lesions and ulcers that were grossly visible in the non-treated control group. In addition, atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, carcinoids, and adenocarcinomas were histologically observed in the animals. In animals eradicated after 4 months and autopsied after 18 months, however, such mucosal changes were not observed. In contrast, intestinal metaplasia and mucosal atrophy was observed in animals eradicated after 8 months and autopsied after 18 months. It was concluded that early eradication of H. pylori infection with drug therapy can prevent severe gastric mucosal changes, to include adenocarcinomas, in Mongolian gerbils.