Evaluation of apoptosis along with BCL-2 and Ki-67 expression in patients with intestinal metaplasia

Pathol Res Pract. 2012 Feb 15;208(2):89-93. doi: 10.1016/j.prp.2011.12.002. Epub 2012 Jan 25.

Abstract

The primary aim is to compare individuals with intestinal metaplasia (IM), chronic active gastritis (CAG), and normal gastric mucosa (NGM) in terms of apoptosis, proliferation, and Bcl-2 expression. The secondary aim is to determine whether these parameters are different between patients with and without gastric cancer in first-degree relatives. We enrolled 106 patients whose histopathological results were consistent with IM (n: 42), CAG (n: 51), or NGM (n: 13). Antral biopsies were immunohistochemically stained for Bcl-2 and Ki-67 expression. Apoptosis was detected using TUNEL assay. While no significant difference was determined between three groups with regard to apoptosis and Bcl-2 expression (p>0.05), Ki-67 expression was significantly higher in the IM group when compared with the CAG and NGM groups (29.90±22.87 vs. 18.18±16.22 vs. 18.54±20, respectively; p=0.012). Helicobacter pylori was determined to increase apoptosis (49.3% vs. 25.7%, p<0.05), nevertheless, it had no significant effect on proliferation and Bcl-2 expression. Bcl-2 and Ki-67 expression and apoptosis were not different among patients with and without a history of gastric cancer in first degree relatives. Although intestinal metaplasia cases demonstrate an increase in proliferation, no elevation is observed in apoptosis. This can be an important factor in the progression to gastric cancer.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Apoptosis*
  • Biopsy
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cell Proliferation*
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Chronic Disease
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Gastric Mucosa* / chemistry
  • Gastric Mucosa* / microbiology
  • Gastric Mucosa* / pathology
  • Gastritis* / metabolism
  • Gastritis* / microbiology
  • Gastritis* / pathology
  • Helicobacter pylori / isolation & purification
  • Heredity
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • In Situ Nick-End Labeling
  • Ki-67 Antigen / analysis*
  • Male
  • Metaplasia
  • Middle Aged
  • Pedigree
  • Precancerous Conditions* / chemistry
  • Precancerous Conditions* / microbiology
  • Precancerous Conditions* / pathology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / analysis*
  • Stomach Neoplasms* / chemistry
  • Stomach Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Stomach Neoplasms* / microbiology
  • Stomach Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Turkey
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Ki-67 Antigen
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2