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Determinants of plasma pepsinogen levels in a population at high risk for stomach cancer in venezuela
Author(s) -
Kato Ikuko,
Miki Kazumasa,
Muñoz Nubia,
Vivas Jorge H.,
Lopez Gladys,
Peraza Simon,
Carillo Elsa,
Castro Denis,
Andrade Olga,
Sanchez Victor,
Cano Elsa,
Ramirez Hernan,
Muggli Reto,
Benz Maja,
Oliver Walter
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
international journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.475
H-Index - 234
eISSN - 1097-0215
pISSN - 0020-7136
DOI - 10.1002/ijc.2910620504
Subject(s) - stomach cancer , stomach , population , pepsin , cancer , medicine , oncology , gastroenterology , biology , environmental health , biochemistry , enzyme
Determinants of plasma pepsinogens (PG) levels were studied in 1365 participants in a chemoprevention trial for gastric pre‐cancerous lesions being conducted in Venezuela. Gastric biopsies, plasma samples and information on smoking and dietary habits were obtained at baseline examination. Both PG‐I and PG‐II levels increased progressively with the level of Helicobacter pylori infection in gastric biopsies, resulting in no clear trend in the I/II ratio. Instead, there was a progressive decrease in the I/II ratio with increasing degrees of infiltration of polynuclear cells and monocytes, atrophy, intestinal metaplasia and the stage of pre‐cancerous lesions. The mean I/II ratios for atrophic gastritis or more advanced lesions were less than 4.0. When subjects with the I/II ratio 4 or higher were used as controls, severe reduction in the I/II ratio (<2.0) was inversely associated with tobacco consumption. This may be due to a pharmacological effect of nicotine. The severe reduction of I/II ratio was also inversely associated with fresh fruit consumption. In addition, a decreased I/II ratio was positively associated with rice/pasta and arepas (tortilla made from corn) consumption and inversely associated with plantain consumption. Possible effects of vitamins and starchy food on the development of atrophic gastritis need to be studied further. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.