Importance of Cytokines in Peptic Ulcer Disease: Implications for Treatment

"Upper GI endoscopy, one time on diagnosis and a second time 15 days after the end of the treatment. Gastric juice will be aspirated immediately after the entrance of the endoscope into the gastric lumen. Four biopsy specimens will be obtained from adjacent areas of the gastric antrum. Each biopsy will be used for in vitro culture. Blood will be sampled from one antecubital vein under aseptic conditions.~Each patient will be given antisecretory treatment and - if necessary- eradication treatment of H. pylori according to international guidelines."