Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor expression in various types of gastritis – a specific role of H. pylori infection

Objectives: Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) represents a multifunctional protein of the gastrointestinal mucosa exerting antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. SLPI expression is generally induced during inflammation; however, H. pylori-meditated gastritis is associated with significantly decreased antral SLPI levels. The aim of the study is to investigate whether the SLPI down-regulation of gastric mucosa represents a specific phenomenon to the H. pylori infection or is generally linked to gastric inflammation. Methods: The SLPI expression was retrospectively analyzed by immunohistochemistry…