Aim: Gallbladder cancer (GBC) may be associated with Helicobacter pylori. The present study was designed to analyze the association of cytokine expression with H. pylori in patients with GBC.
Methods: GBC tissue sample and 5 mL blood were collected from each of 54 GBC patients. H. pylori was identified in tissue samples using biochemical tests, histology, culture, nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and partial genome sequencing. Tissue samples were categorized as H. pylori-positive (case) and H. pylori-negative groups (control) on the basis of nested PCR of tissue sample. Cytokines interleukin 1-β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and interleukin-5 (IL-5) were assayed in blood samples using ELISA.
Results: Presence of H. pylori was confirmed in 18 (33 %) of 54 GBC tissue samples. Levels of IL-1β (p = 0.001) and TNF-α (p = 0.01) were significantly elevated in H. pylori-positive GBC compared to the control group. IFN-γ and IL-5 levels did not significantly differ between the two groups.
Conclusions: H. pylori DNA was detected in the gallbladder of a third of GBC patients and was associated with higher circulating levels of some cytokines.