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World J Gastroenterol. May 7, 2014; 20(17): 4948-4952
Published online May 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i17.4948
Participation of microbiota in the development of gastric cancer
Li-Li Wang, Xin-Juan Yu, Shu-Hui Zhan, Sheng-Jiao Jia, Zi-Bin Tian, Quan-Jiang Dong
Li-Li Wang, Xin-Juan Yu, Shu-Hui Zhan, Sheng-Jiao Jia, Quan-Jiang Dong, Central Laboratories and Department of Gastroenterology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao 266011, Shandong Province, China
Zi-Bin Tian, Department of Gastroenterology, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, Shandong Province, China
Author contributions: Dong QJ contributed to the conception and design of the article, revising and editing the draft for intellectual content; Wang LL, Yu XJ, Zhan SH and Jia SJ reviewed literature and wrote the draft manuscript; Tian ZB reviewed and edited the final version of article; all authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Correspondence to: Quan-Jiang Dong, MD, PhD, Central Laboratories and Department of Gastroenterology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, No. 1 Jiaozhou Road, Qingdao 266011, Shandong Province, China. allyking114@126.com
Telephone: +86-532-88905289 Fax: +86-532-85968434
Received: October 11, 2013
Revised: December 10, 2013
Accepted: January 8, 2014
Published online: May 7, 2014
Processing time: 207 Days and 19.9 Hours
Abstract

There are a large number of bacteria inhabiting the human body, which provide benefits for the health. Alterations of microbiota participate in the pathogenesis of diseases. The gastric microbiota consists of bacteria from seven to eleven phyla, predominantly Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria and Fusobacteria. Intrusion by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) does not remarkably interrupt the composition and structure of the gastric microbiota. Absence of bacterial commensal from the stomach delays the onset of H. pylori-induced gastric cancer, while presence of artificial microbiota accelerates the carcinogenesis. Altered gastric microbiota may increase the production of N-nitroso compounds, promoting the development of gastric cancer. Further investigation of the carcinogenic mechanisms of microbiota would benefit for the prevention and management of gastric cancer.

Keywords: Microbiota; Helicobacter pylori; Gastric cancer; Nitrite; Metagenomics

Core tip: The gastric microbiota consists of bacteria from seven to eleven phyla, predominant with Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria and Fusobacteria. Absence of bacterial commensal from the stomach delays the onset of Helicobacter pylori-induced gastric cancer, while presence of artificial microbiota accelerates the carcinogenesis. Altered gastric microbiota may increase the production of N-nitroso compounds, promoting the development of gastric cancer. Further investigations of the carcinogenic mechanisms of microbiota would benefit for the prevention and management of gastric cancer.