1.   Antral, corpus, and fundal biopsy specimens were taken for histology and H pylori status.

2.   However, acid secretion in old subjects without atrophy was not different to that in young subjects, irrespective of H pylori status.

3.   In healthy men without atrophy, gastric acid secretion is preserved with ageing and is independent of H pylori status.

4.   For basal serum gastrin as the dependent variable, three variables -- age, H pylori status, and atrophy -- were considered.

5.   There was no age related difference in acid secretion in old men without atrophy and young men, irrespective of H pylori status.

6.   Further analysis of the relationship between the PGC RFLP and the H pylori status and precise histological changes are clearly needed in the future studies.