Review
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2003. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Oct 15, 2003; 9(10): 2137-2139
Published online Oct 15, 2003. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v9.i10.2137
Helicobacter pylori infection and micronutrient deficiencies
Javed Yakoob, Wasim Jafri, Shahab Abid
Javed Yakoob, Wasim Jafri, Shahab Abid, Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Stadium Road, Karachi, Pakistan
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Javed Yakoob, MBBS, PhD. Section of Gastroe-nterology, Department of Medicine, Agha Khan University Hospital, Stadium Road, Karachi-74800, Pakistan. yakoobjaved@hotmail.com
Telephone: +92-21-48594661 Fax: +92-21-4934294
Received: June 5, 2003
Revised: August 12, 2003
Accepted: August 19, 2003
Published online: October 15, 2003
Abstract

It is known that deficiencies of micronutrients due to infections increase morbidity and mortality. This phenomenon depicts itself conspicuously in developing countries. Deficiencies of iron, vitamins A, E, C, B12, etc are widely prevalent among populations living in the third world countries. Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection has a high prevalence throughout the world. Deficiencies of several micronutrients due to H pylori infection may be concomitantly present and vary from subtle sub-clinical states to severe clinical disorders. These essential trace elements/micronutrients are involved in host defense mechanisms, maintaining epithelial cell integrity, glycoprotein synthesis, transport mechanisms, myocardial contractility, brain development, cholesterol and glucose metabolism. In this paper H pylori infection in associaed with various micronutrients deficiencies is briefly reviewed.

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