Exploring IL-17 and IL-23 as biomarkers in H. pylori-linked gastric diseases: A cross-sectional study.

[BACKGROUND] Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is associated with various gastric diseases, including gastric ulcer (GU) and gastric cancer (GC).

[OBJECTIVE] The research examines the levels of IL-17 and IL-23 in patients with H. pylori-induced gastric diseases and evaluates the correlation between these cytokines.

[SUBJECTS AND METHODS] This cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2020 to August 2022. A total of 96 patients were recruited and diagnosed with H. pylori. They were grouped into 56 with GU and 40 with GC. A health control (HC) group of 30 individuals without H. pylori was included. Serum levels of IL-17 and IL-23 were measured in all participants.

[RESULTS] H. pylori-positive patients showed significantly higher IL-17 and IL-23 levels in GU and GC compared to negative groups (P < 0.001). Post-hoc analysis showed the highest level of both cytokines IL-17 and IL-23 difference between H. pylori-positive GC and control (-48.14, p < 0.001 and -36.75, p < 0.001, respectively). There was a positive correlation between IL-17 and IL-23 in both H. pylori-positive (r = 0.573, P < 0.05) and H. pylori-negative (r = 0.452, P < 0.05). High levels of IL-23 were found to increase the risk of GC significantly.

[CONCLUSION] The serum levels of IL-17 and IL-23 are significantly elevated in patients with GU and GC, regardless of H. pylori status, compared to healthy controls. This suggests their potential role as biomarkers for inflammation and disease progression in gastric conditions associated with H. pylori.