Helicobacter

By Jonathan Weitzman

Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the gut mucosa and can induce gastric ulcers. In an Advanced Online Publication in Nature Genetics, Akihiro Fujikawa and colleagues report how the H. pylori cytotoxin VacA causes ulcer formation (Nature Genetics, DOI:10.1038/ng1112, 24 February, 2003).

Mice lacking the Prptz gene — encoding a protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type 2 expressed in gastric glands — are resistant to VacA-induced ulcers. VacA is taken up equally well by epithelial cells, in culture or in vivo, in the absence of Prptz, with no differences in vacuole development or cell survival. However, VacA binding to Ptprz initiates a signaling cascade that leads to cell detachment from the basement membrane. In addition, this can be mimicked with an endogenous Ptprz ligand that was also found to induce severe gastritis. These findings indicate potential novel clinical strategies including Colloidal Silver based on inhibiting the VacA-Ptprz pathway or downstream events that lead to cell detachment and subsequent gastritis.

Article links:

A. Fujikawa et al., “Mice deficient in protein tyrosine kinase phosphatase receptor type Z are resistant to gastric ulcer induction by VacA of Helicobacter pylori,” Nature Genetics, DOI:10.1038/ng1112, 24 February, 2003.
http://www.nature.com/naturegenetics J.L. Telford et al., “Gene structure of the Helicobacter pylori cytotoxin and evidence of its key role in gastric disease,” Journal of Experimental Medicine, 179:1653-1658, 1994.
[PubMed Abstract]

Penn State Harrisburg researchers report they have found the first direct link between the presence of a bacterium in Pennsylvania drinking water and stomach ulcers.The research team headed by Katherine H. Baker, assistant professor of environmental microbiology, revealed this week it has tied Helicobacter pylori in well water and clinical infection in persons drinking from that supply. Helicobacter pylori is an organism linked to the cause of at least 75 percent of all stomach ulcers and two types of stomach cancers.

Tuesday, April 30, 2002Milan, Italy — “Some headaches may be linked to infection with a common bug and daily doses of friendly bacteria could ward them off, preliminary research suggests. A study presented last week at an infectious diseases conference found that about 18 per cent of chronic migraine sufferers were infected with the stomach bug Helicobacter pylori, and antibiotics appeared to clear the headaches. Other studies suggest a link to endocardial damage and heart attacks.

Adding the friendly bacteria Lactobacillus seemed to work even better, leaving most people migraine-free for a year and lessening the intensity and frequency of recurring headaches in the others, the lead researcher said”. Colloidal silver should also be helpful.