Abstract
Background: This study evaluates the effect of eradicating Helicobacter pylori on basal and bombesin-stimulated gastric acid secretion and serum gastrin in non-ulcer dyspepsia. Methods: Before and 1 month after an attempt to eradicate H. pylori basal and bombesin-stimulated gastric acid outputs were measured in 23 patients. H. pylori was eradicated in 15 patients (group A) but not in the other 8 (group B). Incremental gastric acid output was calculated by subtracting basal from bombesin-stimulated values. Results: Basal acid output increased significantly (p = 0.01) after therapy in group A (Δ 1.6 ± 0.6 mmol/h) but not in group B (Δ0.2 ± 0.5 mmon). Incremental gastric acid output decreased distinctly (Δ-3.9 ± 1.4mmol/h) after therapy in group A (p = 0.02) but not in group B (Δ-2.2 ± 1.7mmol/h). Basal serum gastrin decreased significantly (p < 0.005) after therapy in group A (Δ -9 ± 4 pM) but not in group B (Δ-1 ± 2pM). Integrated serum gastrin responses to bombesin decreased markedly (p < 0.001) after therapy in group A (Δ-5.0 ± 1.6 nM60min) but slightly in group B (Δ-0.9 ± 1.3nM60min) (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia basal serum gastrin concentrations decrease but basal gastric acid outputs increase after eradication of H. pylori. Bombesin-induced increments in gastric acid output, however, decrease in parallel with gastrin release.