BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to elucidate what are the concentrationsof vitamin C in gastric juice in patients with gastric cancer in comparison to patients with metaplasia.MATERIAL/METHODS: In patients aged 20 to 75 years with H. pylori infection and chronic gastritis, metaplasiaand gastric cancer the concentration of vitamin C was determined by spectrofotometry of gastric juiceduring gastroscopy. On the basis of the results of histological examination the following four groupswere isolated. Group I (control)--12 patients with normal gastric mucosa, group II--15 patients withchronic gastritis, group III--17 patients with metaplasia and group IV--16 patients with gastric cancerH. pylori infection was confirmed by urease test and histological examination (Giemsa stainning) in allpatients. RESULTS: In controls the mean concentration of vitamin C in gastric juice was 18.2 mg/ml (5.7-31.2mg/ml), in group II--6.3 mg/ml (2.9-13.1 mg/ml) in group III--3.9 mg/ml (2.6-10.1 mg/ml) and group IV--3.2mg/ml (1.7-9.2 mg/ml). Statistically significant differences of vitamin C concentration were found among group I and group II, III and IV (p<0.001) and among groups II and III and IV (p<0.01).
Conclusions: There are not differences of vitamin C concentration in gastric juice between patients with metaplasia and patients with gastric cancer. This points out that low levels of this vitamin in gastric juice might play the role in the earlier stages of carcinogenesis.

Keywords: Ascorbic Acid, Gastric Juice, Gastroscopy, Helicobacter Infections, Helicobacter pylori, Hydrogen-Ion Concentration, Precancerous Conditions