Introduction: Helicobacter pylori infects ~43% of the global population, causing active chronic gastritis in infected individuals and gastric MALT lymphoma or adenocarcinoma in 1–3% of cases. Eradication therapy is recommended for all infected adults, but may alter the gut microbiome and resistome. Conversely, resolution of chronic inflammation may improve metabolic risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Aim: The objective was to evaluate the long-term effects of successful H. pylori eradication on the gut microbiome, resistome, CVD risk factors, and the hormones ghrelin and leptin, and to determine the reversibility of changes after one year.
Methods: In this randomized prospective study (July 2020–November 2022), 72 patients aged 20–70 years with confirmed H. pylori infection were enrolled. Participants received one of two 14-day regimens (group 1: esomeprazole, amoxicillin, clarithromycin; group 2: esomeprazole, amoxicillin, metronidazole, colloidal bismuth subcitrate). Treatment success was confirmed by urea breath test at two months. Anthropometric parameters, lipid profile, trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), ghrelin, leptin, as well as microbiome, resistome, and short-chain fatty acid analyses were performed at baseline, two months, and one year.
Results: Of the 72 patients, 13.9% (10/72) were lost to follow-up. After successful eradication, significant reductions were observed in total cholesterol (p = 0.003), LDL cholesterol (p = 0.010), small dense LDL particles (p = 0.037), TMAO (p = 0.048), and serum ghrelin (p < 0.001), with no changes in BMI, waist circumference, insulin resistance, or leptin. Both alpha and beta diversity decreased at two months but approached baseline after one year. In group 1, macrolide resistance genes increased at two months, with decline at one year.
Conclusion: Successful eradication of H. pylori improved lipid profiles, reduced TMAO and ghrelin, without effects on body weight or insulin resistance. Transient microbiome and resistome changes largely reverted, supporting the long-term safety of eradication therapy.
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