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Investigation of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor, Zinc, and Vitamin B12 Levels in Chronic Gastritis with Helicobacter pylori Infection

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Abstract

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is known as the most common cause of worldwide common chronic gastritis. Pathogenic mechanisms caused by H. pylori in diseases are still not fully understood. In addition, it has been reported that H. pylori can alter gene expressions in infected tissues and affect transcription factor activation. It is reported that aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), which is a cytoplasmic transcription factor, functions in the immune system and plays a role in immune cells in barrier organs such as the gastrointestinal system, skin, and lungs. H. pylori infection affects the absorption of micronutrients such as trace elements, minerals, and vitamins by disrupting gastric secretion and acidification functions. Zinc (Zn) trace element is thought to be able to modulate the induction of AhR-responsive genes in endothelial cells. Although it is emphasized that trace elements are related with gastritis, relationship between Zn and AhR is not fully known, especially in chronic gastritis accompanied by H. pylori infection. In this study, serum levels of AhR, Zn, and AhR antagonist vitamin B12 were determined in chronic gastritis with H. pylori infection. Fifty volunteers diagnosed with H. pylori positive and negative chronic gastritis were included in this study. Collected from individuals participating were 5 ml of venous blood samples, and their serums were separated. AhR serum level of the study group was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Zn concentrations in serum samples were measured using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. When AhR and Zn serum levels were compared in H. pylori positive and negative chronic gastritis patients, it was found that AhR serum level of H. pylori positive chronic gastritis patients increased but it was not statistically significant (p = 0.595). However it was determined Zn and B12 serum levels were statistically significantly decreased (p < 0.001). This study has a crucial importance since to be the first one investigating relationship between serum AhR, Zn, and vitamin B12 levels in the pathogenesis of H. pylori gastritis in adults. Examination of AhR, Zn and B12 levels in H. pylori positive gastritis patients contributes to elucidating molecular mechanism of the disease.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul Aydin University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Ahu Soyocak & Gulsah Koc

  2. Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul Aydin University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Dilek Duzgun Ergun

  3. Department of General Surgery, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey

    Sefa Ergun

  4. Department of General Surgery, Istanbul Avcılar Murat Koluk State Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

    Sefa Ergun

  5. Department of Biophysics, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey

    Nural Pastaci Ozsobaci

Authors
  1. Ahu Soyocak
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  2. Dilek Duzgun Ergun
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  3. Gulsah Koc
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  4. Sefa Ergun
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  5. Nural Pastaci Ozsobaci
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Contributions

All authors designed the study. SE collected samples; DDE and NPO measured trace element; AS and GK measured AhR level; AS, DDE, and GK drafted manuscript. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Ahu Soyocak.

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Soyocak, A., Ergun, D.D., Koc, G. et al. Investigation of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor, Zinc, and Vitamin B12 Levels in Chronic Gastritis with Helicobacter pylori Infection. Biol Trace Elem Res 199, 2431–2437 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-021-02667-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-021-02667-5

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