Surface hydrophobicity of gastric mucosa in peptic ulcer disease. Relationship to gastritis and Campylobacter pylori infection

• Published in: Gastroenterology (New York, N.Y. 1943) Vol. 98; no. 5 Pt 1; p. 1250
• Main Authors: Spychal, R T, Goggin, P M, Marrero, J M, Saverymuttu, S H, Yu, C W, Corbishley, C M, Maxwell, J D, Northfield, T C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.05.1990
• Subjects: Biopsy; Campylobacter Infections - pathology; Duodenal Ulcer - pathology; Dyspepsia - pathology; Gastric Mucosa - pathology; Gastritis - pathology; Gastroscopy; Humans; Pyloric Antrum; Stomach Ulcer - pathology; Surface Properties
• ISSN: 0016-5085
• DOI: 10.1016/0016-5085(90)90341-W

The hydrophobicity of biopsy specimens of gastric mucosa in 228 dyspeptic subjects undergoing diagnostic endoscopy was assessed by measuring the plateau-advancing contact angle of saline drops using a goniometer. Subjects with duodenal ulcers (n = 49) and gastric ulcers (n = 17) had significantly lower mean contact angles than controls (n = 124) without ulcer (57 degrees in duodenal ulcer, 59 degrees in gastric ulcer vs. 66 degrees in controls; p less than 0.0001). There was no change in contact angle after healing with H2-receptor antagonists by comparison with pretreatment (59 degrees vs. 56 degrees for duodenal ulcer, n = 15; 57 degrees vs. 59 degrees for gastric ulcer, n = 5). Controls with gastritis had lower contact angles than those without (61 degrees, n = 50, vs. 70 degrees, n = 63; p less than 0.0001). The presence of Campylobacter pylori was associated with a significant decrease in contact angle in controls (59 degrees, n = 39, vs. 70 degrees, n = 75; p less than 0.0001).