| Theme |
Risk Factors for Gastric Carcinogenesis |
| Title |
Risk Factors for Gastric Cancer: Helicobacter pylori Infection and High Dietary Salt Levels |
| Author |
Masae Tatematsu |
Division of Oncological Pathology, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute |
| Author |
Xueyuan Cao |
Division of Oncological Pathology, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute / Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo |
| Author |
Tetsuya Tsukamoto |
Division of Oncological Pathology, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute |
| [ Summary ] |
Risk factors for development of gastric adenocarcinoma include Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection and high dietary salt intake, Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) provides an excellent animal model for the study of the two gastric cancer risk factors. A strong promoting effect on glandular stomach carcinogenesis was confirmed by HP infection in gerbils. Furthermore, a model with Hp eradication was also studied. The results suggested that enhanced carcinogenic effects could be effectively inhibited by early eradication. A high salt diet is considered to cause alterations in the viscosity of the protective mucous barrier, and to facilitate colonization of Hp, resulting in tissue damage and gastric tumor progression. Hp infection and a high dietary salt consumption might interact to produce gastric cancers, thus the prevention and eradication of Hp infection, and avoidance of high salt diets were more effective for gastric cancer prevention. |