Alpha₁-Antitrypsin Allo-and Phenotypes in Gastric and Duodenal Ulcer

Abstract

Serum alpha₁-antitrypsin (A₁AT) allo-and phenotypes (including M₁, M₂ and M₃ alleles) were studied in 99 patients with gastric ulcer (GU) and 56 patients with duodenal ulcer (DU) using agarose isoelectric focusing. The results were compared with the A₁AT data of a random population sample of similar genetic background (1422 persons). An increase in M₂ allotype and M₁M₂ phenotype as well as a decrease in Z allotype of A₁AT was seen in GU in comparison to DU and the random population. There were no particular clinical features which would distinguish patients with M₂ allotype from the remainder of the GU group. However, a trend toward elevated serum pepsinogen I and II levels in patients with M₂ allotype was seen. When the pepsinogen levels were compared in the GU patient groups with and without M₂ allotype, matched between themselves by the state of the gastric mucosa, a statistically significant difference was revealed between pepsinogen II levels in these two groups. No associations were found between DU and any of the A₁AT phenotypes.

Key Words:

• Gastric ulcer
• duodenal ulcer
• alpha₁-antitrypsin
• phenotypes
• pepsinogens