BACKGROUND: The effects of PPI are variable owing to the CYP2C19 polymorphisms. However, whether the polymorphisms could affect the Hp eradication efficacy of triple therapy is still not clear. The present study aimed to assess the effects of CYP2C19 gene polymorphisms on proton pump inhibitor (PPI), amoxicillin, and levofloxacin triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori (Hp) eradication.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We randomly assigned 160 Hp-positive patients with chronic gastritis to 2 groups to receive either 20 mg bid omeprazole (OAL group, n=80) or 10 mg bid rabeprazole (RAL group, n=80), combined with 1000 mg bid amoxicillin and 500 mg qd levofloxacin. The 2 groups were treated for 10 days. The CYP2C19 genotypes included wild-type, M1 mutant gene (*2, the mutation of exon 5), and M2 mutant gene (*3, the mutation of exon 4) identified by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFIP). According to CYP2C19 genotype combinations, the patients were divided into extensive metabolizer (EM), intermediate metabolizer (IM), and poor metabolizer (PM) subgroups. The eradication efficacy of Hp was evaluated by 14C-UBT at 28 days after treatment.

RESULTS: The trial was completed by 155 patients. Hp eradication rates in OAL and RAL groups were 78.2% and 88.3%, respectively, on per-protocol (PP) analysis, indicating no significant difference (P>0.05). Regarding CYP2C19 genotypes, eradication rates of 60.7%, 84.2%, and 100% were obtained for EM, IM, and PM subgroups, respectively, of the OAL group. EM group eradication rates were significantly lower than IM and PM group values (P<0.05). In the RAL group, no such difference was observed (P>0.05). Hp eradication rates were significantly lower in the EM subgroup of the OAL group compared with that of the RAL group.

CONCLUSIONS: Hp eradication rates were higher in the RAL group than in OAL-treated patients. Interestingly, omeprazole-based therapy was significantly affected by the CYP2C19 genotype, unlike the rabeprazole-based therapy.

Keywords: Amoxicillin, Helicobacter pylori, Levofloxacin, proton pump inhibitors