Abstract: Objective To determine serum pepsinogen levels in patients with liver cirrhosis and investigate the functions of the
gastric mucosa in these patients with concurrent portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG). Methods Fifty-one patients with liver
cirrhosis and 22 healthy controls were studied by gastroscopy. The hepatic function of the patients with or without PHG were
evaluated with Child-Pugh grade. Helicobacter pylori infection was detected using rapid urease test or exhalation of carbon 13.
The serum pepsinogen I and II levels were tested by latex-enhanced immunoturbidimetry to calculate the PGI/PGII ratio
(PGR). Results In cirrhotic patients, the levels of serum PGI and PGR were lower than those in the healthy controls. The
patients without PHG had a serum PGI level of 49.48+23.86 μg/L, significantly lower than that in PHG patients (74.85+30.27 μg/L, P=
0.000). The levels of serum PG II in patients with H.pylori infection was significantly higher that in patients free of H.pylori
infection (P=0.003). Conclusion The serum level of PGI decreases obviously in patients with hepatic cirrhosis and PHG, who
can have damages of the gastric mucosa lamina propria and reduced secretory function of the gastric mucosa. H.pylori
infection may affect the level of PGII. There is no significant correlation between serum PG level and liver function, but to a
certain extent, serum PG level especially PGI can reflect the function of gastric mucosa in patients of liver cirrhosis.