CXCL8 and inflammatory response: H. pylori infection has proven to be associated with increased gastric inflammation, increased bacterial load, and both peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer [81, 82]; this infection induces high levels of IL-8 [83] and activates the transcription factors NF-κB (nuclear factor-κapaB) [84] and AP-1 (activator protein 1) [85].