Background: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor involved in various disease processes including inflammation and carcinogenesis. We investigated the association of Pro12Ala PPARgamma polymorphism and Helicobacter pylori infection with gastric cancer and peptic ulcer disease (PUD).
Patients and methods: In total, 348 adult patients [62 gastric adenocarcinoma, 45 PUD and 241 nonulcer dyspepsia (NUD)] who underwent an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were enrolled. PPARgamma polymorphism was analyzed by PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism. H. pylori infection was diagnosed by rapid urease test, culture, histopathology and PCR.
Results: PPARgamma G carrier had significant association with gastric adenocarcinoma [P = 0.023, odds ratio (OR) = 2.136, 95% CI = 1.112-4.104] and PUD (P = 0.028, OR = 2.165, 95% CI = 1.008-4.306) when compared with NUD. Combination of G carrier and H. pylori infection further increased the risk of gastric adenocarcinoma (OR = 3.054, 95% CI = 1.195-7.807) and PUD (OR = 11.161, 95% CI = 3.495-35.644). PPARgamma polymorphism did not increase the risk of gastric adenocarcinoma and PUD in H. pylori-negative subjects.
Conclusions: The study suggests that Pro12Ala PPARgamma polymorphism is associated with gastric adenocarcinoma and PUD, and is a potential marker for genetic susceptibility to these two diseases in the presence of H. pylori infection.