Biomedical subjects

N Yamazaki

Publications and source records attributed to N Yamazaki.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1999

A case of metastatic extramammary Paget's disease that responded to combination chemotherapy.

Extramammary Paget's disease is considered to be a malignant tumor originating from the sweat glands. Some cases of extramammary Paget's disease infiltrate the dermis and metastasize to the regional lymph nodes. No standard treatment has been established for advanced cases. Few previous studies of the treatment for metastatic Paget's disease have revealed an effective regimen. The prognosis of metastasized cases is very poor. We encountered a patient in whom extramammary Paget's disease had metastasized to the lymph nodes beyond the regional lymph nodes and systemic chemotherapy was partially effective. Combination chemotherapy consisted of mitomycin C 3.5 mg/m2 and epirubicin 50 mg/m2 on day 1, vincristine 0.6 mg/m2 on days 1 and 7, cisplatin 30 mg/m2 from days 1 to 3, and 5-fluorouracil 350 mg/m2 from days 3 to 7. After two courses of chemotherapy, the metastatic lymph nodes decreased in size by more than 90% compared to that before chemotherapy. We defined the treatment effect of this regimen as a partial response (PR). Microscopic examination of the resected lymph nodes revealed replacement of metastatic lesions by fibrous tissue, suggesting a therapeutic effect. Anorexia, alopecia, and leukopenia (neutropenia) have been reported as toxicities, but all were tolerated. Our results may provide useful indications for the management of this tumor. This particular combination chemotherapy is recommended for extramammary Paget's disease patients with systemic nodal metastases.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

PubMed1999

[Effects of isatin, an endogenous MAO inhibitor, on dopamine (DA) and acetylcholine (ACh) concentrations in rats].

Isatin (indole-2,3-dione), an endogenous inhibitor of monoamine oxidase (MAO), has several physiological properties for stress and anxiety. We previously identified isatin in the brain of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) using gas-chromatography mass spectrometry. This study elucidated the effects of isatin on the ACh and DA levels of brain tissues in rats. Furthermore, we evaluated the effect of isatin on DA levels in a rat model of Parkinson's disease induced by Japanese encephalitis virus. Striatal ACh and DA levels significantly increased at 2 hours after isatin (50-200 mg/kg, i.p.) administration. Perfused through a microdialysis probe, isatin (10(-6)-10(-4) M) also produced a significant and concentration-dependent increase in the ACh and DA concentrations in the perfusate from the rat striatum. Furthermore, urinary isatin concentrations in patients with Parkinson's disease tend to increase according to the severity of disease. Isatin (100 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly increased striatal DA levels in a rat model of Parkinson's disease. These results suggest that urinary isatin may become a diagnostic marker for the clinical severity of Parkinson's disease and that endogenous isatin, a new biological modulator, may play a role in the regulation of the brain levels of ACh by increasing the level of DA under stress.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed1999

Involvement of brain serotonergic terminals in the antinociceptive action of peripherally applied calcitonin.

We investigated the antinociceptive effect of systemic injection of calcitonin and its mechanisms of action in rats. Subcutaneous injection of [Asu(1,7)]eel calcitonin (ECT, 4 U x kg(-1) x day(-1)) daily for 7 days suppressed nociceptive hypersensitivity induced by formalin (and by carrageenan); the effect was gradually increased by the repeated injections and significant effects were observed after administration for more than 4 days. The antinociceptive action of ECT (4 U x kg(-1) x day(-1) for 7 days) was inhibited by intracerebroventricular injection of the serotonergic neurotoxin 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine and serotonin-receptor antagonists methiothepin, cyproheptadine and ketanserin; methysergide showed an inhibitory tendency. Intrathecal injections of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine, methiothepin, cyproheptadine and ketanserin were without effects on the ECT action. The results suggest the involvement of serotonin in the brain, but not in the spinal cord, in the ECT antinociception. Intracerebroventricular or intrathecal injection of the catecholaminergic neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine and intracerebroventricular injection of the alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist phentolamine were also without effects on the ECT action. A subcutaneous infusion of the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone inhibited the antinociceptive action of morphine, but not that of ECT. Thus, adrenergic and opioidergic systems may not play important roles in the ECT antinociception. The present results suggest that repeated systemic injection of ECT produces analgesia and that the brain serotonergic terminals are involved in this action.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

PubMed1999

General pharmacological properties of the new proton pump inhibitor (+/-)-5-methoxy-2-[[(4-methoxy-3,5-dimethylpyrid-2-yl)methyl]sulf inyl]- 1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine.

The general pharmacological profiles of a novel proton pump inhibitor, (+/-)-5-methoxy-2-[[(4-methoxy-3,5-dimethylpyrid-2-yl)methyl]sulfi nyl]- 1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, TU-199) on the central nervous system, cardiorespiratory system, autonomic nervous system, gastrointestinal system and renal functions were investigated. TU-199 had no effects on general signs and behavior in mice. TU-199 (300 mg/kg p.o.) decreased locomotor activity 3 h after administration in mice. TU-199 had no effect on pentobarbital-induced hypnosis, analgesic activity and electroshock-induced convulsion in mice, and on rectal temperature in rats. However, TU-199 (300 mg/kg p.o.) showed slight anticonvulsant activity on pentylenetetrazole-induced convulsion in mice. TU-199 had no effect on respiratory rate, blood pressure, heart rate, femoral blood flow and electrocardiogram in anesthetized dogs. TU-199 (10(4) M) caused the cumulative concentration-response curve obtained with acetylcholine in isolated guinea pig ileum to shift to the right. However, TU-199 showed no effect on contraction of isolated guinea pig ileum and had no effect on intestinal motility in mice, gastric emptying in rats, bile secretion in rats and carbachol-induced salivary secretion in mice. TU-199 had no effect on urinary volume and excretion of electrolytes in rats. These results suggest that TU-199 does not induce serious adverse effects on the central nervous system, cardiorespiratory system, autonomic nervous system, gastrointestinal system and renal functions with the exception of a decrease in spontaneous motor activity with high doses.

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles↗

PubMed1998

Substrate recognition of tRNA (Guanosine-2'-)-methyltransferase from Thermus thermophilus HB27.

Transfer RNA (guanosine-2'-)-methyltransferase (Gm-methylase, EC 2.1. 1.32) from Thermus thermophilus HB27 is one of the tRNA ribose modification enzymes. The broad substrate specificity of Gm-methylase has so far been elucidated using various species of tRNAs from native sources, suggesting that the common structures in tRNAs are recognized by the enzyme. In this study, by using 28 yeast tRNAPhe variants obtained by transcription with T7 RNA polymerase, it was revealed that the nucleotide residues G18 and G19 and the D-stem structure are essentially required for Gm-methylase recognition, and that the key sequence for the substrate is pyrimidine (Py)17G18G19. The other conserved sequences were found not to be essential, but U8, G15, G26, G46, U54, U55, and C56 considerably affected the methylation efficiency. These residues are located within a limited space embedded in the L-shaped three-dimensional structure of tRNA. Therefore, disruption of the three-dimensional structure of the substrate tRNA is necessary for the catalytic center of Gm-methylase to be able to access the target site in the tRNA, suggesting that the interaction of Gm-methylase with tRNA consists of multiple steps. This postulation was confirmed by inhibition experiments using nonsubstrate tRNA variants which functioned as competitive inhibitors against usual substrate tRNAs.

Bacterial Proteins↗

PubMed1998

Quantification of the myocardial response to low-dose dobutamine using tissue Doppler echocardiographic measures of velocity and velocity gradient.

Low-dose dobutamine echocardiography has been clinically useful in myocardial viability studies, although routine visual assessment of wall motion is subjective. The objective was to quantify the incremental myocardial response to low-dose dobutamine infusion using a new semiautomated tissue Doppler (TD) analysis system and to compare these data with routine echocardiographic measures in the same subjects. Twelve subjects had TD and routine echocardiographic studies at baseline and during 10-minute stages of dobutamine infusion at 1, 2, 3, and 5 microg/kg/min. Color TD video data were converted to a digital velocity matrix (4.5 velocity data points/mm at 500 Hz) for analysis of mitral annular velocity, endocardial velocity, and velocity gradient at each stage. Posterior wall percent thickening and ejection fraction were calculated from the routine images. Mitral annular peak systolic velocity significantly increased with only 1 microg/kg/min of dobutamine from 69 +/- 9 to 77 +/- 7 mm/s (p <0.05 vs baseline), and further incremental increases occurred with each subsequent dose. Anteroseptal and posterior wall peak endocardial velocity increased with 2 microg/kg/min of dobutamine from 33 +/- 7 to 46 +/- 15 mm/s and 50 +/- 9 to 61 +/- 10 mm/s, respectively (p <0.01 vs baseline) and further increased with 5 microg/kg/min (p <0.0001 vs 3 microg/kg/min). Posterior wall peak systolic gradient also increased with 2 microg/kg/min of dobutamine from 3.1 +/- 0.6 to 5.4 +/- 1.6 s(-1) (p <0.05 vs baseline). Routine measures of percent wall thickening or ejection fraction did not detect increases until the 3 microg/kg/min dose. TD can detect subtle alterations in contractility induced by low-dose dobutamine and has the potential to quantify regional ventricular function objectively.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

PubMed1998

Quantitative determinations of the steady state transcript levels of hexokinase isozymes and glucose transporter isoforms in normal rat tissues and the malignant tumor cell line AH130.

The steady state transcript levels of the four hexokinase (HK) isozymes and four glucose transporter (GLUT) isoforms were determined quantitatively by Northern analysis of RNA samples from rat tissues using synthetic fragments of the RNAs encoding the HK isozymes and GLUT isoforms. Results showed that the levels of HK isozyme transcripts were low in rat tissues, the level of that most highly expressed, the type I isozyme (HKI), in the brain being 0.025% of the total poly(A)+ RNA. A good correlation was found between the reported HK activities and the total amounts of transcripts encoding all HK isozymes in various tissues, showing that the HK activities in tissues can be estimated from the total amount of transcripts encoding HK isozymes. The proposed associated expressions of HK isozymes and GLUT isoforms in particular tissues were confirmed at their transcript levels. The steady state transcript levels of type II HK and the type 1 GLUT isoform in the malignant tumor cell line AH130 were also determined quantitatively.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Application of tissue Doppler imaging technique in evaluating early ventricular contraction associated with accessory atrioventricular pathways in Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

To examine the feasibility of a tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) technique for evaluating the early contraction sites in Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, we analyzed the time-sequential changes in ventricular wall motion in WPW syndrome by TDI. Fifty patients with WPW syndrome were examined by the TDI system in which the high-speed scanning technique allowed for a frame rate up to 38 frames/sec. Among 42 patients in whom the acceptable images were obtained by TDI, the early contraction, which was represented by a red or blue spot appearing on the subendocardial side at the time of the delta wave in the electrocardiogram, was demonstrated in 25 of 29 patients with left-sided accessory pathways. However, in 13 patients with right-sided pathways, the early contraction sites could be identified in only five patients. The TDI-determined early contraction sites were well coincided with the sites of the accessory pathways determined by the electrophysiologic examination (p < 0.01). After the successful radiofrequency catheter ablation, early contraction sites were found to disappear by TDI in all patients. These results demonstrate the feasibility of the TDI technique to evaluate the early ventricular contraction associated with the atrioventricular accessory pathways. We suggest that the TDI system is helpful to localize the accessory pathways and to evaluate the results after radiofrequency ablation, although further studies are necessary to demonstrate the advantage of TDI over conventional echocardiography and electrophysiologic study in the evaluation of the accessory pathways in WPW syndrome.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Determination of isatin, an endogenous monoamine oxidase inhibitor, in urine and tissues of rats by HPLC.

1. We have previously identified isatin as one of the endogenous monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors in the urine and the brain of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP), using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). 2. In this study, we attempted to develop a convenient assay to determine isatin using high performance liquid chromatography with an ultraviolet detector (HPLC-UV). The standard curve for authentic isatin was linear at a range from 2 to 20 nmol per ml. The coefficient of variance was within 3% for both intra-assay and inter-assay. The sensitivity was 20 pmol per 10 microl of urine sample. 3. Isatin concentration correlated significantly and positively with endogenous MAO activity (tribulin-like activity) in both urine (r=0.924, P<0.001) and kidney extracts (r=0.862, P<0.01). There was a significant difference in urinary isatin between Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) and SHRSP. Oral administration of isatin increased urinary isatin concentration and systolic blood pressure in WKY. 4. Determination of isatin using HPLC-UV may be useful for elucidating role of isatin in various conditions of stress and disease.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Eccrine porocarcinoma with melanocyte colonization.

We describe a 74-year-old Japanese man with a pigmented eccrine porocarcinoma (malignant eccrine poroma). The patient had a brown-black nodule measuring 9 x 7 mm on his leg. Microscopically, the tumour, which had invaded the reticular dermis, was composed of poroid cells with large and small intracytoplasmic lumina. The tumour cells showed cytological pleomorphism and frequent, often abnormal, mitotic figures. Many dendritic melanocytes containing melanin were intermingled with the tumour cells. The poroid cells were diffusely positive for cytokeratin, while the dendritic cells containing melanin were positive for S-100 protein and HMB-45. Ten months of follow-up revealed no recurrence or metastasis of the tumour.

Acrospiroma↗

PubMed1998

Changes in the heparin affinity of extracellular-superoxide dismutase in patients with coronary artery atherosclerosis.

Extracellular-superoxide dismutase [EC 1.15.1.1] (EC-SOD) is a secretory glycoprotein with high affinity for heparin. This enzyme locates in blood vessel walls at a high enough level to suppress oxidative stress under normal conditions. EC-SOD is the major SOD isozyme in plasma, anchored to heparan sulfate proteoglycans in the glycocalyx of endothelial cell surfaces. Plasma EC-SOD is heterogeneous in heparin affinity and can be divided into five fractions, I to V, by heparin-HPLC. It has been suggested that EC-SOD form V is the primary form synthesized in the body and that EC-SOD forms with reduced heparin affinity are the result of proteolytic truncation of the C-terminal end of EC-SOD form V which is responsible for the binding with heparin. Recently, we reported that only plasma EC-SOD form V, with the highest heparin affinity, was increased by intravenous injection of heparin. The heparin affinity of plasma EC-SOD in patients with coronary atherosclerosis (CA+ patients) was compared in this study. The increase of plasma EC-SOD form V after heparin injection in CA+ patients was significantly less than that in subjects without evidence of stenosis in their major coronary arteries (CA- subjects). On the other hand, in CA+ patients, EC-SOD forms I to III, with low heparin affinity, were significantly increased compared to those in CA- subjects. EC-SOD in plasma apparently forms an equilibrium between the plasma phase and endothelial cell surface, and EC-SOD on the endothelial cell surface contributes to protecting the vessel wall against oxidative stress. These findings suggest that the quantitative and qualitative changes of EC-SOD, i.e., the decrease of bound EC-SOD on the endothelial cell surface, might suppress the defense systems against oxidative stress, which causes in part the development of coronary artery atherosclerosis.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

Dramatic enhancement of the specific expression of the heart-type fatty acid binding protein in rat brown adipose tissue by cold exposure.

To understand the difference in energy metabolisms in brown (BAT) and white (WAT) adipose tissues, we examined the steady-state transcript levels of the heart-type and adipose-type fatty acid binding proteins (H-FABP and A-FABP, respectively) by Northern blot analysis. The transcript of H-FABP in rat BAT was increased about 100-fold by cold exposure, whereas that in WAT was negligible, and was increased only slightly by cold exposure. The transcript of A-FABP was observed in both BAT and WAT, the level being slightly greater in WAT. However, its transcript level was not affected by cold exposure in either adipose tissue. In addition, on treatment with norepinephrine (NE), transcript level of H-FABP was elevated markedly but that of A-FABP was not changed in rat brown adipocytes. Therefore, the stimulatory effect of cold exposure on the transcript of H-FABP in BAT was concluded to be mediated by NE, like that of the uncoupling protein (UCP). Thus, the expressions of H-FABP and UCP may be controlled by the same mechanism.

Adipocytes↗

PubMed1997

Structural features of the gene encoding human muscle type carnitine palmitoyltransferase I.

We isolated a human muscle type of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPTI-M) genomic clone and determined its entire nucleotide sequence. By comparison of the nucleotide sequence of the genomic clone with that of cDNA, we determined the intron/exon junctions. For detection of the exon(s) in the 5'-region of the CPTI-M gene, we isolated cDNA clones corresponding to the 5'-region of its transcript by 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (5'-RACE method). Results showed two alternative exons, 1A and 1B, that do not encode amino acids in the 5'-region of the human CPTI-M gene. The gene encoding human CPTI-M was found to consist of two 5'-non-coding exons, 18 coding exons and one 3'-non-coding exon spanning approximately 10 kbp. Furthermore, on analysis of the 5'-flanking region, a putative gene encoding a 'choline kinase homologue' was found to be located only about 300 bp upstream from exon 1A of the human CPTI-M gene. Comparison of the gene structure of human CPTI-M with the reported partial gene structure of human liver type CPTI (CPTI-L) showed that the intron insertion sites were completely conserved in these two genes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1997

Efficient gene expression in mammalian clock pacemaker cell in vitro by an adenovirus vector.

An efficient modified adeno system to express foreign genes to the central nervous system was developed recently. This modified recombinant adenoviral vectors can be used successfully to deliver lacZ to the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) which is composed of mammalian clock pacemaker. The expression of lacZ in the primary culture of SCN was dose-dependent and higher enough in nearly 100% of these cells. We also showed that viral toxicity and lacZ overexpression had no serious effects on the rhythmic expression of arginine vasopressin (AVP) release from the SCN cell culture.

Adenoviridae↗

PubMed1997

Evolution of pulmonate gastropod mitochondrial genomes: comparisons of gene organizations of Euhadra, Cepaea and Albinaria and implications of unusual tRNA secondary structures.

Complete gene organizations of the mitochondrial genomes of three pulmonate gastropods, Euhadra herklotsi, Cepaea nemoralis and Albinaria coerulea, permit comparisons of their gene organizations. Euhadra and Cepaea are classified in the same superfamily, Helicoidea, yet they show several differences in the order of tRNA and protein coding genes. Albinaria is distantly related to the other two genera but shares the same gene order in one part of its mitochondrial genome with Euhadra and in another part with Cepaea. Despite their small size (14.1-14.5 kbp), these snail mtDNAs encode 13 protein genes, two rRNA genes and at least 22 tRNA genes. These genomes exhibit several unusual or unique features compared to other published metazoan mitochondrial genomes, including those of other molluscs. Several tRNAs predicted from the DNA sequences possess bizarre structures lacking either the T stem or the D stem, similar to the situation seen in nematode mt-tRNAs. The acceptor stems of many tRNAs show a considerable number of mismatched basepairs, indicating that the RNA editing process recently demonstrated in Euhadra is widespread in the pulmonate gastropods. Strong selection acting on mitochondrial genomes of these animals would have resulted in frequent occurrence of the mismatched basepairs in regions of overlapping genes.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Gastric juice levels of lactoferrin and Helicobacter pylori infection.

BACKGROUND: Recently, in vitro studies suggested that lactoferrin (Lf) might play an important role in the physiopathology of Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis. However, whether Lf is present in the gastric juice and its relationship with H. pylori infection have not as yet been reported. In the present investigation the presence of Lf in gastric juice and its correlation with H. pylori infection were assessed. METHODS: This study comprised 30 H. pylori-positive and 14-negative patients with chronic gastritis. Gastric juice levels of Lf were measured with enzyme-linked immunoassays. Gastric juice concentration of Lf was also investigated in accordance with the histologic findings of biopsy specimens in the gastric body and antrum. RESULTS: Lf concentration in gastric juice was significantly higher in H. pylori-positive than in -negative patients (P = 0.033). The pH values are known to influence the levels of Lf. However, intragastric Lf levels were also significantly increased in H. pylori-positive patients as compared with H. pylori-negative patients after correcting the Lf levels for pH values (P = 0.029) or after adjusting the pH values of the gastric juice with NaHCO3 solution in both groups of patients (P = 0.0007). In addition, the gastric juice levels of Lf correlated significantly with the gastric mucosal concentrations of Lf in the gastric body (P < 0.005, r = 0.568) and the antrum (P < 0.05, r = 0.401). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed for the first time that Lf is present in gastric juice and that it correlates with H. pylori infection. Lf may constitute a good marker for H. pylori-associated gastritis. Although correlation does not prove causation, this study suggests that Lf might play an important role in the physiopathology of H. pylori-associated gastritis.

Biomarkers↗

PubMed1997

[Chemotherapy for advanced adenocarcinoma of the skin: experience with combination chemotherapy and a review of the literature].

Sweat gland carcinomas are rare malignant tumors of the skin, in addition, the diagnosis of primary sweat gland carcinoma is often difficult. Primary treatment consists of wide surgical excision with regional lymph node dissection, and the tumor is generally not radiosensitive. It has a potential for rapid growth and metastasis. Distant metastasis of sweat gland carcinomas is reputed to have a very poor prognosis because of the chemo-resistance. Most trials of chemotherapy have failed. Numerous single agents have been investigated in this disease, but in only one case did 5-fluorouracil result in complete response. Experience with combination chemotherapy in metastatic disease is limited; only several complete responses and partial responses were reported. In the literature, we found reports on several cases of sweat gland carcinoma with overt disease, which had been treated with different chemotherapeutic agents in various combinations. These studies have suggested the combined use of doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, mitomycin C, vincristine, cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, bleomycin and melpharan. Advanced extramammary Paget's disease is also adenocarcinoma of the skin. The recommended treatment for localized extramammary Paget's disease is wide margin resection. The role of therapy in advanced unresectable extramammary Paget's disease is unestablished. A review systemic chemotherapy of extramammary Paget's disease in the literature revealed a few complete responses and partial responses. We tried a new drug combination consisting of epirubicin, mitomycin C. vincristine, carbcplatin and 5-fluorouracil for advanced adenocarcinoma of the skin. Our two patients had excellent responses to this new regimen.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1997

Relation of lactoferrin levels in gastric mucosa with Helicobacter pylori infection and with the degree of gastric inflammation.

OBJECTIVES: Lactoferrin (Lf) is an iron-binding glycoprotein present in milk, lacrimae, saliva, and gastroduodenal secretions. In vitro studies disclosed contradicting results regarding the relation of Lf with Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the gastric mucosal concentration of Lf and HP infection of the stomach. The relationship of the gastric mucosal level of Lf with the gastric mucosal concentration of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and with the intragastric ammonia levels was also assessed. In addition, the gastric mucosal Lf levels before and after irradication of HP infection were also evaluated. METHODS: This study was composed of 27 HP-positive and 12 HP-negative patients with chronic gastritis. Gastric mucosal biopsy specimens were obtained from all subjects by endoscopy, and the degree of histological inflammatory changes were assessed according to the Sydney system. The gastric mucosal levels of Lf and IL-8 were measured by immunoassays. Assessment of the effect of therapy on the gastric mucosal level of Lf was performed in 10 patients with HP-associated duodenal ulcer. RESULTS: Lf, IL-8, and ammonia levels were significantly higher in patients with HP-positive gastritis compared with those with HP-negative gastritis in both the antrum and the gastric body. Histologically, the degree of inflammatory changes correlated significantly with the Lf levels in the gastric mucosa. Furthermore, the degree of HP colonization was more significant in biopsy samples from the antrum than in those from the corpus of the stomach. The gastric mucosal levels of Lf and IL-8 correlated significantly in the antrum and the gastric body. The ammonia intragastric level significantly correlated with the mucosal Lf level in the antrum and in the gastric body. Therapy significantly decreased the Lf levels in the gastric mucosa of the antrum (p < 0.005) and the gastric body (p < 0.005). CONCLUSION: The results of the present investigation showed, for the first time in vivo, that Lf concentration is increased in the biopsy specimens of patients with HP-related gastritis, and that the levels of Lf correlate significantly with the degree of inflammation of the gastric mucosa. The gastric mucosal level of Lf may constitute an excellent marker of HP infection.

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles↗