Role of Helicobacter Pylori in Microalbuminuria

Helicobacter pylori, previously known as Campylobacter pylori, is a gram-negative, microaerophilic bacterium usually found in the stomach. It was identified in 1982 by Australian scientists Barry Marshall and Robin Warren, who found that it was present in a person with chronic gastritis, gastric ulcers and conditions not previously believed to have a microbial cause. It is also linked to the development of duodenal ulcers and stomach cancer. However, over 80% of individuals infected with the bacterium are asymptomatic, and it may play an important role in the natural stomach ecology. [1] More than 50% of the world's population have H. pylori in their upper gastrointestinal tract. [2] Infection is more common in developing countries than Western countries. [3] H. pylori's helical shape (from which the genus name derives) is thought to have evolved to penetrate the mucoid lining of the stomach. [4, 5] Microalbuminuria, which is defined as an increased urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) of 30-300 μg/mg .[15] Has been known to be a strong predictor of the development of diabetic nephropathy. [16] It has also been demonstrated that microalbuminuria is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in the general and diabetic populations. [17-19] and the increased urinary leakage of albumin reflects vascular damage, i.e., endothelial dysfunction or low grade chronic inflammation. [20] In addition, some studies have reported a relationship between microalbuminuria and metabolic syndrome, suggesting that insulin resistance underlies the pathogenesis of microalbuminuria. [21-23]

Inclusion criteria

• Age >45 years and absence of any sever illness.

Exclusion criteria

• 1. Those receiving anti-ulcer treatment in the last three months and still receiving proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) or H2 receptor blockers.

• Diabetic patients with poor glucose regulation diagnosed previously and detected in laboratory parameters as having diabetic nephropathy.

• Those have diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy. 4. Those have renal impairment or known to have renal disease. 5. Those have any primary kidney disease. 6. Those have any systemic disease that my affect the kidney. 7. Those have lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid or other immunological disease. 8. Those have any chronic illness that may affect the kidney 9. Those have urinary tract infections or renal stones. 10. Those may have proteinuria due to any other cause. 11. Heavy exercise, excessive protein ingestion, fluid overload, increase the urinary protein excretion discarded from the study.

• Those have chronic liver disease. 13. Those have heart failure. 14. Hypertensive patients. 15. Diabetics having >120 mmHg systolic blood pressure and >85 mmHg diastolic blood pressure.

• Those have malignancy. 17. Those with inflammatory disease, those obliged to continue antibiotic treatment for various reasons 18. Smokers 19. Those not providing consent for the study