N-nitroso compounds and Helicobacter pylori in the gastric remnant.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to investigate the role of N-nitroso compounds (NOC) and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in gastric stump carcinogenesis. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Analyses of biochemical parameters such as pH and NOC concentration were carried out on 65 fasting gastric juice samples obtained at endoscopy from 45 patients previously submitted to partial gastrectomy for benign peptic ulcer disease (23 Billroth I, 22 Billroth II/Reichel-Polya) and 20 normal controls. Biopsy specimens were taken to determine histology and H. pylori status. RESULTS: Significantly higher mean pH values and NOC concentrations were found in partial gastrectomies compared to normal controls. In relation to surgical methods, higher mean pH values and NOC concentrations were observed in the gastric juice of patients with Billroth II compared to Billroth I gastrectomies. Independently of the type of surgical reconstruction, higher mean NOC levels were recorded in patients with more severe histological changes and H. pylori infection. CONCLUSIONS: All these data suggest that high levels of NOC in gastric juice and H. pylori infection could be cofactors in gastric stump carcinogenesis.