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DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-868534
Soking, helicobacter pylori infection and epithelial cadherin expression in gastric mucosa
Introduction: E-cadherin, the predominant cell-adhesion molecule expressed in epithelial tissue, and its associated catenin proteins are reduced in early diffuse gastric cancer and preinvasive lesions. Tobacco smoking and helicobacter pylori infection are linked to the development of gastric cancer. We aimed to determine if smoking and H. pylori infection were associated with reduced expression of e-cadherin and the catenins.
Methods: We prospectively recruited patients with gastrointestinal symptoms presenting for gastroduodenoscopy. We assessed their smoking habits and use of proton pump inhibitors. At gastroscopy pre-pyloric gastric biopsies were obtained and clo test performed. E-cadherin and catenin expression were measured using immunohistochemistry.
Results: 69 patients were recruited, 34 male and 25 female. Eighteen were smokers, 24 were ex-smokers and 27 were non-smokers. Twenty-five had H. pylori infection of the gastric mucosa. Membranous e-cadherin expression was decreased in smokers and ex-smokers (p=0.2) and in patients who were H. pylori positive (p=0.13) in comparison to controls but these did not reach statistical significance. There was no difference in catenin expression across all groups.
Conclusion: Smoking and H. pylori infection are implicated in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer. However this study indicates that their initial mechanism of action does not involve alterations in the expression of e-cadherin or its associated catenin proteins.