Published in:
01-02-2008 | Original Paper
Serum and Tissue Beta-2 Microglobulin Levels in Patients with Helicobacter pylori Infection
Published in: Digestive Diseases and Sciences | Issue 2/2008
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Background and aim
Beta-2 microglobulin (β2-m) is a minor plasma protein, secreted from the plasma membranes as a result of the continuous regeneration of membrane proteins in the cell surface of all nucleated cells. The relationship between Helicobacter pylori and β2-m has not been adequately established in studies. In this study, we aimed to compare the levels of serum and tissue β2-m in patients with and without H. pylori infection, and to examine the relationship between levels of serum and tissue β2-m.
Material and methods
About 30 patients with H. pylori gastritis and 22 healthy persons were enrolled in this study. Gastric biopsies were histologically analyzed and compared according to tissue and serum β2-m levels.
Results
Serum β2-m levels were comparable in H. pylori and control groups. There was no significant link between tissue H. pylori grade and serum β2-m levels. Subendothelial β2-m was detected in 19 (63.3%) cases with H. pylori and none of the control group with immunohistochemical staining (P < 0.001). There was no correlation between serum and tissue levels of β2-m.
Conclusion
β2-m accumulates in the majority of gastric tissues of patients with active chronic gastritis who were H. pylori (+), whereas no accumulation was found in H. pylori (−) control subjects.