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Panminerva Medica 2008 June;50(2):161-3

Copyright © 2008 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Potential relationship between Helicobacter pylori and ischemic heart disease: any pathogenic model?

Berrutti M. ¹, Pellicano R. ¹, Fagoonee S. ², Astegiano M. ¹, Smedile A. ¹, Saracco G. ¹, Repici A. ³, Leone N. ⁴, Rizzetto M. ¹

¹ Department of Gastro-Hepatology S. Giovanni Battista Hospital (Molinette), Turin, Italy 2 Department of Biology Biochmestry and Genetics Molecular Biotechnology Center University of Turin, Turin, Italy 3 Gastroenterology, Humanitas Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy 4 Gastroenterology, Gradenigo Hospital, Turin, Italy

Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori), causal agent of several gastroduodenal diseases, has been involved in diverse aspects of many extragastric manifestations, including ischemic heart disease (IHD). The present paper focuses on the potential pathogenic mechanisms relating H. pylori to IHD. Since H. pylori DNA has been detected in the coronary arteries only in sporadic occasions, and considering that long-term inflammation might raise cytokine levels in the bloodstream, an indirect pathway is more plausible. Moreover, the evidence that some strains of H. pylori induce platelet aggregation supports a role in the acute phase of IHD. In conclusion, because IHD is a multifactorial disease, it is evident that H. pylori is not the only cause. Thus, the definition of H. pylori or other infectious agents as culprits requires a multidisciplinary approach.