AIM: To study the relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) and gastric carcinoma and its possible pathogenesis by H. Pylori.METHODS: DNEL technique and immunohistochemical technique were used to study the state of apoptosis,proliferation and p53 gene expression. A total of 100 gastric mucosal biopsy specimens, including 20 normal mucosa, 30H. Pylori-negative and 30 H. Pylorf-positive gastric precancerous lesions along with 20 gastric carcinomas were studied.RESULTS: There were several apoptotic cells in the superficial epithelium and a few proliferative cells within the neck of gastric glands, and no p53 protein expression in normal mucosa. In gastric carcinoma, there were few apoptotic cells, while there were a large number of proliferative cells, and expression of p53 protein significantly was increased. In the phase of metaplasia, the apoptotic index (Al, 4.36% ± 1.95%), proliferative index (PI, 19.11% ± 6.79%) and positivity of p53 expression (46.7%) in H. Pylori-positive group were higher than those in normal mucosa (P< 0.01). Al in H. Pylori-positive group was higher than that in H. Pylori-negative group (3.81% ±1.76%), PI in H. Pylori-positive group was higher than that in H. Pylori-negative group (12.25% ±5.63%, P