Distinct patterns of mucosal apoptosis in H pylori-associated gastric ulcer are associated with altered FasL and perforin cytotoxic pathways

Figure 3 Quantitative analysis of apoptosis-related proteins in the gastric lamina propria of patients with gastric ulcer (GU) [at the ulcer margin, and the antrum before and after eradication therapy (ET)], H pylori-associated gastritis, and non-infected controls, respectively. Horizontal bars represent medians, boxes represent the 25th and 75th percentiles, and vertical bars represent ranges. Values of Fas were significantly different compared with the antral mucosa after ET (^aP = 0.005, ^bP = 0.008), and the normal group (^aP < 0.001, ^bP = 0.031). Values of FasL were significantly different compared to GU after ET (^cP = 0.003, ^dP = 0.008), gastritis (^cP < 0.001), and the control group (^cP < 0.001, ^dP = 0.018). Values of perforin were significantly different compared to GU after ET (^eP = 0.005, ^fP = 0.008), gastritis (^eP = 0.004, ^fP = 0.033), and the control group (^eP = 0.001, ^fP = 0.006) (n: GU = 12, H pylori-associated gastritis = 11, control = 10). Differences were analysed using one-way ANOVA with the Dunnett’s test for multiple comparisons. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for comparisons between GU patients.