Ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, and monochloramine retard gastric epithelial restoration in rabbit cultured cell model

Ammonia (NH3), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and monochloramine (NH2Cl) produced by Helicobacter pylori infection might be responsible for mucosal injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of NH3, H2O2, and NH2Cl in the restoration of rabbit primary cultured gastric mucosal cells with a wound repair model. Artificial wounds were made in confluent monolayer gastric epithelial cell sheets by mechanical denudation, and changes in the size of the cell-free area were analyzed quantitatively. Cell proliferation was assessed by bromodeoxyuridine staining. In controls, the wound healed within 48 hr. However, mucosal cell repair was inhibited by treatment with NH3, H2O2, and NH2Cl in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that NH3, H2O2, and NH2Cl retarded the wound healing, which included epithelial cell migration and proliferation of gastric mucosa. Therefore, it is suggested that NH3, H2O2, and NH2Cl delays the healing process of peptic ulcers.