Participation of capsaicin-sensitive afferent nerves in the gastric mucosa of patients with Helicobacter pylori-positive or-negative chronic gastritis

Capsaicin-sensitive afferent nerves (CSANs) are involved in the protection of gastric mucosa. To clarify the role of CSANs in human Helicobacter pylori-negative or -positive chronic gastritis, after bacterium detection by rapid urease test, (14)C urea breath test, and specific histological staining, the immunodistribution of capsaicin receptor, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and substance P (SP) was studied in 21 H. pylori-positive and 30 H. pylori-negative patients with chronic gastritis and 20 patients with functional dyspepsia (as histologically healthy controls). The expression of capsaicin receptor, CGRP, and SP was significantly higher in the mucosa of patients with chronic gastritis than in controls, however, no significant difference was obtained in the immunodistribution in patients with H. pylori-negative versus H. pylori-positive gastritis. In conclusion, CSANs participate in the development of human gastritis, however, their participation does not depend on the presence of Helicobacter pylori as a causative factor.