Influence of Helicobacter pylori status and eradication on the serum levels of trefoil factors and pepsinogen test: serum trefoil factor 3 is a stable biomarker

Background and aim Emerging data indicate that serum trefoil factors (TFFs), especially TFF3, could be potential biomarkers for gastric cancer risk. We aimed to evaluate the influence of Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori ) status and eradication on serum TFFs and the pepsinogen test. Methods Healthy individuals who underwent a thorough medical checkup were enrolled in study 1, and gastric ulcer patients who undertook H. pylori eradication therapy were enrolled in studies 2 and 3. Serum levels of the TFFs (TFF1, TFF2 and TFF3), H. pylori antibody and pepsinogen test were examined in all studies. In study 3, TFF expressions in biopsy samples of the gastric mucosa were additionally examined before and 2 months after eradication. Results In 1,260 healthy individuals enrolled in study 1, serum TFF1 and TFF2 levels were markedly different between H. pylori antibody-positive and -negative participants ( P