Is there any specific role of the capsaicin-sensitive afferent nerves in the development of the human chronic gastritis with or without Helicobacter pylori infection?

Background: The capsaicin-sensitive afferent nerves (CSANs) take place in the development of gastric mucosal damage and/or protection in animals and in human subjects (Mózsik Gy, Abdel-Salam OME, Szolcsányi J: Capsaicin-Sensitive Afferent Nerves in Gastric Mucosal Damage and Protection. Budapest, Akadémiai Kiadó, 1997. Mózsik Gy, Rácz I, Szolcsányi J. World J Gastroenterol 11:5180–5184, 2005). The gastritis is a common appearance of the inflammation in the stomach caused by different factors (H. pylori, autoimmune mechanisms, chemical agents, NSAIDs). The aim of the study was to clarify up the role of CSANs in human Helicobacter pylori (as one of the main causative factor) positive or negative chronic gastritis.

Materials and methods: After bacterium detection with rapid urease test, 14C urea breath test and specific histological staining, the immunhistochemical distribution of capsaicin receptor, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP) was studied in 21 H. pylori positive, 30 H. pylori negative patients with chronic gastritis and 20 patients with functional dyspepsia (as histological healthy control).

Results: We have found that 1.) The expression of capsaicin receptor, CGRP and SP was significantly higher in the mucosa of patients with chronic gastritis than in controls; 2.) No significant difference was obtained between the immunhistochemical distributions in patients with H. pylori negative or positive gastritis.

Conclusion: The CSANs are involved in the human chronic gastritis and their participation does not depend on the presence or absence of H. pylori in chronic gastritis. Grant: RET-II-08/2005