Helicobacter pylori infection in pathogenesis of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) refers to the very common and constantly increasing conditions where reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus leads to development of characteristic symptoms. The esophagus, LES and stomach can be envisioned as single functional unit controlled by neuro-hormonal factors. The abnormalities that contribute to GERD can start in any component of this unit, resulting particularly from disturbances in their control system. It is extremely important to identify factors and mechanisms leading to functional failure of this system so that causative therapy can be effectively applied. The key-role has been attributed to parasympathetic dysfunction, which may adversely affect motor activity of this area by increasing transient LES relaxation number and impairing LES pressure, esophageal acid clearance and motility of the proximal stomach. Recently, numerous investigations have been performed to elucidate the role of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection in GERD pathogenesis with the most concern given to its potency to increase gastric acid secretion. However, it appeared that this infection leads to much more complex changes in gastric mucosa including modification of afferent neural signals and specific gastric hormones release. Plasma ghrelin level is low in subjects infected and increases significantly after eradication. Since ghrelin, beside potency to increase gastric secretion has strong prokinetic action on LES functional unit, this phenomenon together with impaired vagal control may contribute to the Hp infection or eradication - related GERD development. Thus, ghrelin and vagal activity could be the missing links that partially explains relationship between GERD and Hp infection.