Inhibitory effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids on the growth of Helicobacter pylon: A possible explanation of the effect of diet on peptic ulceration

Abstract

Diets high in polyunsaturated fatty acids may protect against duodenal ulcer, possibly through inhibiting the growth of Helicobacter pylori. This hypothesis was tested in vitro by incubating H pylori microaerophilically with a range of polyunsaturated fatty acids, ω-3 Linolenic acid significantly, but reversibly, inhibited growth at 1·8, 2·5, and 5X10-4 M (p<0·01), while concentrations of 10-3 M killed virtually all organisms, with cell lysis observed by electron microscopy. Similar inhibitory effects were seen with other polyunsaturated fatty acids, at concentrations of 2·5X10-4 M the relative inhibitory potencies were oleic (C18:1)