Alzheimer and Helicobacter Pylori; Should We Fight and Kill or Save H. Pylori!! We Should Save H. Pylori

摘要

This review study aimed at assessment of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori whether it is guilty, not guilty or innocent towards the brain and Alzheimer disease (AD). AD is a chronic age-related degenerative disease characterized by loss of cognitive and memory functions. A genetic theory was suggested while the amyloid hypothesis is the most accepted. There are many medical pathologies that could contribute to Alzheimer such as diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia. Other factors like toxic elements, air pollution and nutrition are also under consideration. A lot of controversy entails the influence of systemic ammonia and the endothelial-liberated nitric oxide (NO) on the pathogenesis of the amyloid disease and in turn on the onset and progress of Alzheimer disease. Elevated levels of ammonia is toxic and is associated with progress of the amyloid disease and dementia symptoms. Excess NO is involved in nitro-oxidative stress sequels resulting in endothelial and neuronal degeneration. Meanwhile, the normal level of ammonia could help to maintain the neuro-protective function of NO via its endothelial liberation due to the effect of shear stress. Accordingly, the normal-behavior H. pylori strains in the stomach could be biologic and healthy towards Alzheimer and the brain while the colonic H. pylori strains could be considered pathologic and toxic to the brain and dementia symptoms. AD remains a disease without real cure or prevention because of permanent degeneration of some areas of the brain; therefore, attempts to delay the onset and symptoms of Alzheimer constitute intelligent and practical strategies. Eradication of colonic H. pylori strains via natural colon clear might be the most effective measure among these strategies as it eliminates the main pathologic source with its greater toxic influence in addition to amelioration of other factors contributing to AD such as diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia. On conclusion, H. pylori -produced ammonia in accordance could constitute at the mean time a cure and a poison towards Alzheimer while the natural existence of the bacterium H. pylori is biologic and protective; hence, it should be saved not killed.