Blood samples from 56 patients with Barrett's oesophagus and 202 non-Barrett controls who previously took part in a trial assessing the accuracy of the Cytosponge for Barrett's oesophagus were assessed for serum pepsinogen (PG) 1 and 2, gastrin-17, trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) and <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> infection.
It is noteworthy that long-term use of PPIs increases gastrin level, which can contribute to transfer from BE to EAC, as a result of its effects on proliferation of BE epithelium.
This study, which is the largest and longest term randomised controlled trial of gastrin biology in Barrett's oesophagus, is further proof of the clinical safety of PPI therapy.
Glycine-extended gastrin (G-Gly) is a mitogen for several gastrointestinal tissues although the mechanisms responsible are ill-defined and it is unknown if G-Gly can influence signalling in Barrett's oesophagus.
Activation of NFkappaB represents the central event in the neoplastic progression associated with Barrett's esophagus: a possible link to the inflammation and overexpression of COX-2, PPARgamma and growth factors.