Concentrations of osteoclastogenic cytokines in postmenopausal women infected with Helicobacter pylori

E.A. Maylyan, E.S. Zhadan

M. Gorkiy Donetsk State Medical University, Donetsk

Background: the gram-negative helical bacterium Helicobacter pylori is the leading etiology of various gastroduodenal diseases, including chronic active gastritis, peptic ulcer, MALT lymphoma, and gastric adenocarcinoma. Additionally, H. pylori is believed to be a contributing factor in the development of osteoporosis, particularly in postmenopausal women.

Aim: to assess serum levels of osteoclastogenic cytokines, namely interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), in postmenopausal women with positive total antibodies against the CagA antigen of H. pylori.

Patients and Methods: a total of 176 postmenopausal women were examined. The mean age of the subjects was 62 [56; 68] years, and the duration of the postmenopausal period was 13 [7; 20] years. To assess bone mineral density, bone densitometry (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) was performed. The total antibodies against the H. pylori CagA antigen and the levels of osteoclastogenic cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were measured in the blood serum by enzyme immunoassay. 

Results: indicated a significant increase in IL-1β levels in women with osteopenia (p<0.05) and osteoporosis (p<0.01). Furthermore, women with osteoporosis exhibited elevated TNF α production (p<0.01). Our investigation revealed an association between Helicobacter infection and alterations in the cytokine profile, with a correlation observed between total antibodies against CagA antigen and IL-6 levels. In women with osteopenia and osteoporosis, a positive test for H. pylori was associated with elevated IL-6 levels (p=0.016 and p=0.043, respectively).

Conclusion: аntibodies against the CagA antigen of H. pylori are associated with increased serum levels of IL-6 in postmenopausal women with osteopenia (p=0.016) and osteoporosis (p=0.043). These findings have diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive implications for postmenopausal women.

Keywords: women, postmenopause, osteoporosis, Helicobacter pylori, cytokines.

For citation: Maylyan E.A., Zhadan E.S. Concentrations of osteoclastogenic cytokines in postmenopausal women infected with Helicobacter pylori. RMJ. 2024;6:43–46.