Biochemical Changes Associated with Helicobacter Pylori Infection: Case Control Study

Abstract

Background: Bacteria, classified as gram-positive or gram-negative, infect various organs, causing disease and inflammation. Helicobacter pylori, a gram-negative bacteria, is linked to gastrointestinal diseases. It is a spiral-shaped, highly motile rod with 4-6 unipolar sheathed flagella and produces high amounts of urease enzyme for colonization and protection. It can penetrate the stomach's mucosal layer, forming colonies and causing gastric and peptic ulcers. H. pylori infects 4.4 billion people globally, infecting over half of the population. Direct transmission occurs through vomitus, saliva, or feces, facilitating non-digestive tract diseases like chronic urticaria, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and liver diseases. Diagnosis involves eradication therapy, with triple therapy being most effective. Eradication can reduce cancer in 62%–92% of cases. Due to the high prevalence and severity of H. pylori, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the H. pylori infection of the patients and alterations in their biochemical markers in Benghazi, Libya.

Methods: The study excluded subjects with drugs that could affect the parameters targeted. Venous blood samples were collected from patients after an overnight fast, centrifuged, and stored at -80°C. Biochemical parameters were determined, including diagnostic tests for H. pylori infection, lipid profiles, C-reactive protein, liver enzymes, serum vitamin D level, and anemic patients' hematological parameters. Results were expressed as mean ± SD and statistically analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 program for Windows software.

Results: The study revealed significant differences between individuals with H. pylori infection and changes in blood levels of LDL and TC compared to the negative group. Other parameters did not show any significant variations, indicating that their levels were not affected by infection. Significant variations in blood ferritin, MCV, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and MCH levels were also seen between infected and non-infected females, according to the study.

Conclusion: According to our study in Benghazi, Helicobacter pylori infection can lead to dyslipidemia, increased atherosclerosis risk, and ischemic heart disease, with high CRP blood levels crucial for diagnosing inflammatory diseases. The relationship between H. pylori infection and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) differed significantly between men and women.