Some heartburn drugs may boost risk of heart attack, study finds

Stanford: A data-mining study has found an association between the use of proton-pump inhibitors, which account for 100 million prescriptions per year in the United States alone, and the likelihood of incurring a heart attack down the road. Stanford researchers found an association between a commonly used drug for treating heartburn and the likelihood of incurring a heart attack down the road.

Interpretation of Study on ProtonPumpInhibitors (drugs reducing the stomach acid) Heart Attack Risk

American Gastroenterological Association: A large-scale data-mining study, published June 10 in PLoS ONE (open access), reports that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are associated with an elevated risk of heart attack in the general population. While the study has generated headlines, it shouldn’t spur changes in practice. As we await further study of this issue, you can remind patients that there are risks and benefits to all treatments. PPIs, like any other drugs, should be given for clear indications and in the lowest effective dose.

Why ulcer-causing bacteria is a risk factor for gastric cancer

Stanford: The ulcer-causing bacterium Helicobacter pylori can directly interact with stomach stem cells, causing the cells to divide more rapidly, according to a new study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine. The increased cell division was observed in mice, but the findings could explain why H. pylori is a risk factor for gastric cancer in humans, the researchers said.
They used 3-D microscopy to identified colonies of the bacteria deep within human stomach glands, where stem cells and precursor cells that replenish the stomach’s lining reside.