Increased gastric production of interleukin-8 and tumour necrosis factor in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection.

AIMS To investigate the role of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) in patients infected with Helicobacter pylori. METHODS The study population comprised 52 patients with dyspepsia attending for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Of these patients, 35 were infected with H pylori. IL-8 and TNF concentrations in plasma, gastric juice, and gastric biopsy homogenate supernatant fluid were measured by radioimmunoassay and L929 cell bioassay, respectively. RESULTS The concentrations of IL-8 and TNF in gastric juice and gastric biopsy homogenates were substantially greater in patients infected with H pylori. In H pylori positive patients IL-8 concentrations in gastric juice and gastric biopsy homogenates were higher in those with moderate gastritis than in those with mild gastritis. There was a positive correlation between IL-8 and TNF concentrations in gastric juice and gastric biopsy homogenate supernatant fluid from H pylori positive patients. There were no significant differences between H pylori positive and negative patients with respect to IL-8 and TNF plasma concentrations. CONCLUSION This study suggests that increased gastric production of IL-8 and TNF may be implicated in the pathogenesis of H pylori associated gastroduodenal disease.