Effect of monochloramine on neutrophil-mediated gastric vascular damage in cultured endothelial cells

Objective: Recently, we reported that ammonia produced by Helicobacter pylori damages the gastric mucosa. The gastric mucosal circulation is important in protecting gastric mucosa against aggressive forces. To investigate the pathophysiological mechanism by which ammonia damages gastric mucosa, we examined the effects of ammonia on the microcirculatory system. Design: H. pylori is associated with gastric mucosal damage and the infiltration of neutrophils. Myeloperoxidase from neutrophils produces hypochlorous acid which, in the presence of ammonia, yields monochloramine. We therefore tested the hypothesis that ammonia, hypochlorous acid and monochloramine damage endothelial cells