Helicobacter pylori Infection as a Risk Factor for Abnormal Serum Protein Levels in General Population of China

Abstract

Background Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection is considered as a risk factor for nutritional and metabolic abnormalities, and serum protein is an important marker of the nutritional and immune status. It is still unknown whether HP infection affects serum protein levels. Methods The participants who underwent health screening from July 2020 to August 2021 were included, among whom, 1485 subjects with 14C-urea breath test (14C-UBT) values ≥100 disintegrations per minute (dpm) were defined as HP-positive cases, and 4864 cases with 14C-UBT values <100 dpm were defined as HP-negative cases. Anthropometric measurements were taken, and biochemical parameters of the blood were analyzed for all subjects. Categorical variables were compared using the χ2 test and continuous variables using Student’s t test. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the effect of HP infection on serum proteins. Results Age, the proportion of female, globulin levels, total cholesterol levels, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly higher in the HP infected group than in the non-infected group (P < 0.05). Height, weight, body mass index, hip circumference, albumin levels, albumin to globulin ratio, triglycerides levels, and uric acid levels were significantly higher in the non-infected group than in the infected group (P < 0.05). Multifactorial analysis revealed that HP infection was significantly associated with the risk of decreased serum albumin levels (odds ratio [OR] = 0.809, P = 3.51×10 −4 ); HP infection was significantly associated with the risk of increased serum globulin levels (model 1: OR = 1.257, P = 1.39× 10 −4 ); and HP infection was significantly associated with the risk of decreased albumin/globulin ratio (OR= 0.775, P = 2.30×10 −5 ). Conclusion HP infection was significantly associated with lower serum albumin levels, elevated globulin levels, and lower albumin/globulin ratio. Thus, it is an important factor affecting nutritional metabolism.

Acute Helicobacter pylori infection incidence and association with metabolic abnormalities in the general Chinese population: a retrospective study

“…In our study, the main metabolic abnormalities in H. pylori-infected patients were as follows: 1. elevated BMI, GLB, and FPG and 2. decreased serum ALB and DBIL concentrations. Consistent with our results, Liu H et al reported that H. pylori infection was signi cantly associated with decreased serum ALB levels, elevated GLB levels, and a decreased serum ALB/GLB ratio [14]. In addition, H. pylori infection was independently associated with lower DBIL levels (OR = 1.497, 95% CI = 1.121-1.999, P = 0.006) and TBIL levels (OR = 1.322, 95% CI = 1.005-1.738, P = 0.046) after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, ALT, AST, HDL-C, LDL-C, TC and TG [15].…”

Analysis of gastric mucosal commensal bacteria and plasma metabolites across different stomach microhabitats using multi-omic analyses in development of gastric cancer

“…However, the role of uric acid in carcinogenesis remains obscure and controversial. A study on the relationship between H. pylori infection and metabolic abnormality revealed that H. pylori infection was in association with increased uric acid levels [59] , which was consistent with our research(Figure .6). We hypothesized uric acid accumulation in human plasma is closely related to pathogenesis of H. pylori infections.…”

Clinical characteristics and risk factors of Helicobacter pylori infection‐associated Sjogren's syndrome

“…Similar to the reported studies, 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 various risk factors relevant to the H. pylori infection in patients with pSS were observed, such as female proportion, hypertension, higher total cholesterol, higher LDL, high CRP, and hypergammaglobulinemia (Tables 1 and 2 ). In one case, a positive correlation existed between age and H. pylori infection, in which older patients with pSS showed a higher prevalence of H. pylori infection than the average population.…”

“…14 In this framework, previous reports demonstrated several mechanistic views regarding the induction of autoimmune pathogenesis by H. pylori, including cessation of the immunological tolerance by bacteria-derived heat shock protein 60 (HSP60), microchimerism, molecular imitation, and substantial activation of autoreactive T cells, and immunological response to H. pylori antigens. 9 Similar to the reported studies, [15][16][17][18] various risk factors relevant to the H. pylori infection in patients with pSS were observed, such as female proportion, hypertension, higher total cholesterol, higher LDL, high CRP, and hypergammaglobulinemia (Tables 1 and 2). In one case, a positive correlation existed between age and H. pylori infection, in which older patients with pSS showed a higher prevalence of H. pylori infection than the average population.…”