Fang-Yu Wang

A genetic variant of the p22PHOX component of NADPH oxidase C242T is associated with reduced risk of functional dyspepsia in Helicobacter pylori-infected Japanese individuals.

Objectve Although inflammatory changes in the gastric mucosa are commonly observed in Japanese patients with functional dyspepsia (FD), detailed data regarding the relationship between the genetic regulatory factors of inflammation and FD are not available. Superoxide has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylrori-related diseases through inflammation. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase, a major source of superoxide generation plays a critical role in H. pylori-related gastric inflammation. We aimed to clarify the association between C242T polymorphism of p22PHOX, an essential component of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase and FD in a Japanese population. Methods Eighty-nine FD according to Rome III criteria and 95 asymptomatic participants enrolled in this study. The p22PHOX C242T polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism. H. pylori infection status was examined by histology or antibody against H. pylori. Results Nonsignificant correlation was found between p22PHOX polymorphism and FD. In H. pylori positives, however, C242T carriers significantly associated lower risk of FD (25.9 vs. 6.2%; C/C vs. T carriers; odds ratio=0.19, 95% confidence interval=0.05–0.71, P=0.009). This significant association remained after logistic regression analysis with adjustment for sex and age (odds ratio=0.20, 95% confidence interval=0.05–0.73). No significant correlation was found between p22PHOX polymorphism and a different subgroup of FD. Conclusion Our data suggest that C242T carriers status is inversely related to the risk of FD in H. pylori-infected patients.

Mannan-binding lectin B allele is associated with a risk of developing more severe gastric mucosal atrophy in Helicobacter pylori-infected Japanese patients.

Objective Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) is an important constituent of the innate immune system, and deficiency of MBL has been reported to increase the overall susceptibility of an individual to infectious disease. Codon 54 G/A variant of exon 1 (B allele) affects MBL2 gene and alters its activity. We investigated the influence of MBL2 variant on the risk of gastroduodenal diseases and on the severity of Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis in a Japanese population. Methods One hundred and two gastric ulcers, 48 duodenal ulcers, 275 nonulcer participants were included in this study. B allele of the MBL2 gene was detected by polymerase chain reaction based restriction fragment length polymorphism. The severity of the histological chronic gastritis in antral biopsy specimens were classified according to the updated Sydney system. Results MBL2 B allele was significantly associated with severity of gastric mucosal atrophy and intestinal metaplasia (atrophy, G/G vs. G/A vs. A/A; P=0.02, A/A vs. others; P=0.009, intestinal metaplasia; G/G vs. G/A vs. A/A; P=0.03, A/A vs. others; P=0.004). When participants were divided into the following three groups according to the severity of gastric atrophy: the nonatrophic gastritis (NA) group, the severe atrophic gastritis (SA) group, and mild atrophic gastritis (MA) group, the frequency of A/A was significantly higher in the SA group than in others (SA vs. MA; odds ratio=8.42, 95% confidence interval=1.05–67.45, SA vs. others; odds ratio=10.06, 95% confidence interval=1.26–80.45). Conclusion Our data suggest that the MBL2 codon 54 B allele is associated with a risk of developing more severe gastric mucosal atrophy in H. pylori-infected Japanese patients.

Macroscopic Classificatrion of Early Colorectal Carcinoma: A Comparison Between Japan and China

Background: To clarify the similarities and dissimilarities in the macroscopic classification criteria for early colorectal carcinoma (CRC) between Japan and China.