Inhibition of gastric cell proliferation by acetaldehyde

Abstract
Helicobacter pylori possesses alcohol dehydrogenase activity and is capable of producing acetaldehyde from ethanol in vitro. Acetaldehyde is a toxic and reactive compound and has been shown to inhibit the proliferation of many different cell lines in vitro. To study the effects of acetaldehyde on the proliferation of gastric epithelial cells in vivo, we employed an immunohistochemical method after labelling proliferating cells with 5′-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine in rats receiving acetaldehyde intragastrically. Chronic (16 weeks) exposure of gastric mucosa to acetaldehyde given to rats in their drinking water in concentrations of 10 or 20 mM resulted in significant (PPH. pylori-associated gastric diseases by inhibiting normal gastric mucosal protection and repair.