Data regarding the chronological changes in gastric mucosal cytokines in the different phases of Helicobacter pylori infection are unavailable. We examined Mongolian gerbils for up to 52 weeks after H. pylori (ATCC 43504) inoculation. Levels of mRNAs of mucosal cytokines (interleukin-1␤ [IL-1␤], gamma interferon [IFN-␥], IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10) were assessed using real-time reverse transcription-PCR. Starting 26 weeks after H. pylori inoculation, two clinicohistologic patterns appeared: gastric ulcers in 32% and hyperplastic polyps in 68% of gerbils. High levels of mucosal IL-1␤ mRNA were observed early in the infection, reaching maximum at 4 weeks and then rapidly declining. Mucosal IFN-␥ mRNA also reached maximal levels at 4 weeks but remained high thereafter. Both IL-1␤ and IFN-␥ mRNA levels were consistently higher in the pyloric mucosa than in the fundic mucosa. In contrast, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 mRNA levels peaked at 8 to 26 weeks and levels were similar in the pyloric mucosa and the fundic mucosa. IFN-␥ mRNA levels were significantly higher in gerbils with ulcers than in those with hyperplastic polyps (median IFN-␥/glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase ratio ؋ 100,000 ‫؍‬ 650 versus 338, respectively [antrum], and 172 versus 40, respectively [corpus]) (P < 0.05). We propose that the different outcomes (e.g., ulcers or hyperplastic polyps) might relate to imbalances among cytokines.Helicobacter pylori infection of the gastric mucosa is characterized by the infiltration of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, and plasma cells. The initial migration of inflammatory cells into the gastric mucosa and their activation are believed to depend on the production of proinflammatory cytokines (2,8,17,(30)(31)(32). The inflammatory products from the polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) and mononuclear cells (MNCs) are also thought to damage the epithelial layer and play a role in disease pathogenesis. T-helper (Th) cells are also found in the gastric lamina propria in H. pylori infection. The cytokine response in the gastric mucosa of patients chronically infected with H. pylori is thought to be predominantly of the Th1 type (1,2,5,7,8,10,11,15,17,18,22,(24)(25)(26). This determination was based in part on the presence of increased numbers of gamma interferon (IFN-␥)-secreting T cells in H. pylori-infected gastric mucosa compared to normal mucosa (2,5,11,15,17,25). H. pylori-infected IFN-␥-knockout mice developed minimal pathological changes (1,22,24), consistent with the response to H. pylori infection being primarily a Th1-type response.However, the relative contribution of the different cytokines during the course of the infection is still unknown. It is generally impossible to characterize the natural history of the immune response to H. pylori in humans, but such studies are possible using animal models. Rodents are excellent model animals in that they can be infected with H. pylori strains that consistently produce severe gastritis. In particular, Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) infected with selected stra...

The rice extract was effective in suppressing inflammation and epithelial cell proliferation in the gastric mucosa in H. pylori-infected Mongolian gerbils. The rice extract has potential to exhibit a protective effect on H. pylori-related gastric mucosal diseases.

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We herein report a case of gastric small cell carcinoma (GSCC), which was successfully treated by surgery and postoperative chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin (CDDP) and the fluoropyrimidine S-1. The patient was a 63-year-old man in whom a gastric tumor had been endoscopically detected. The type 1 tumor was located in the gastric body. An abdominal computed tomogram showed many metastasized nodes around the stomach. A total gastrectomy with regional node dissection was performed. The removed tumor was histologically and histochemically diagnosed to be a GSCC with node metastases. Furthermore, washing peritoneal cytology histologically revealed the presence of carcinoma cells. Metastasis was histologically observed in 17 of 24 dissected nodes. After surgery, CDDP was intravenously administered and S-1 was orally administered for 1 year. Consequently, the patient is now well without any recurrence 45 months after surgery. We reviewed 52 Japanese patients with GSCC/endocrine cell carcinoma (EC) reported between 2001 and 2005 with reference to chemotherapy. Chemotherapy using S-1 was performed for 11 of the 52 patients. Four of the 11 patients, including the present case, who were treated with S-1 survived for over 2 years after surgery, although the GSCC/EC of the four patients were staged as III or IV. Therefore, chemotherapy consisting of CDDP and S-1 may provide a survival benefit for patients with GSCC/EC.