Increase In Acid Output Research Articles

Gastrin partially mediates insulin-induced acid secretion in dogs.

A monoclonal antibody to gastrin was used to study the role of circulating gastrin in mediating insulin-stimulated acid output. On separate days, seven adult dogs with chronic gastric fistulas were pretreated i.v. with either 1) 7 mg of a gastrin monoclonal antibody (mAb 28.2); 2) 12.5 micrograms/kg atropine; 3) mAb 28.2 and atropine together; or 4) vehicle (0.1% canine serum albumin in 0.15 M NaCl). Thirty minutes later, acid secretion was stimulated by insulin (0.5 U/kg, i.v.), followed in 2 h by a 1-h infusion of histamine (40 micrograms/kg/h, i.v.). Acid output (mmol/15 min) in gastric effluent collected through the gastric fistula was determined by titration with 0.2 N NaOH to pH 7.0. Plasma gastrin was measured by radioimmunoassay. Plasma glucose was measured by a glucose oxidase method on an auto analyzer. Insulin induced a profound hypoglycemia (55 +/- 8 mg/dl) that coincided with a marked increase in acid output to 7.1 +/- 0.6 mmol/30 min by 45 min after injection. MAb 28.2 pretreatment and atropine pretreatment reduced insulin-stimulated acid outputs to 2.7 +/- 0.7 mmol/30 min and to 0.6 +/- 0.2 mmol/ 30 min, respectively. Acid output after combined pretreatment (0.5 +/- 0.2 mmol/30 min) was not significantly different than after atropine alone. Histamine-stimulated acid output (15.8 +/- 2.5 mmol/30 min) was not significantly reduced by any pretreatment. Insulin injection increased circulating gastrin concentrations to 32 +/- 7 fmol/ml, which was not significantly affected by atropine (39 +/- 9 fmol/ml). This study demonstrates that, in dogs, a significant part of insulin-stimulated acid secretion is mediated by circulating gastrin.

Intracerebroventricular injection of somatostatin sst 5 receptor agonist inhibits gastric acid secretion in rats

Somatostatin and its analogs act in the brain to influence gastric acid secretion. Five different somatostatin receptor subtypes have been characterized (sst 1 to sst 5). We studied the influence of somatostatin (0.18–0.6 nmol/rat) and selective sst 2, sst 3 and sst 5 receptor ligands on basal gastric acid secretion in conscious rats equipped with chronic gastric and intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) cannulae. Somatostatin-14 (0.36 nmol/rat), the sst 2, sst 3 and sst 5 receptor agonist, Des-AA 1,2,4,5,12,13-[ d-Tryp 8, d-Cys 14]somatostatin (SMS 201–995) (0.18–0.36 nmol/rat) and the sst 5 receptor agonist, BIM-23052, (0.8–1.2 nmol/rat) injected i.c.v. inhibited gastric acid secretion. Maximal inhibition reaching 42%, 60% and 42% was induced by somatostatin-14 (0.36 nmol/rat), SMS 201–995 (0.18 nmol/rat) and BIM-23052 (0.8 nmol/rat) respectively. The sst 2 receptor agonist, DC 32–87 (0.2–0.8 nmol/rat) and sst 3 receptor agonist, BIM-23056 (0.2–1.2 nmol/rat), did not modify gastric acid secretion, except the sst 3 receptor agonist at 0.4 nmol/rat which increased acid output at 20 min post-injection. The sst 2 receptor agonists (0.4 nmol/rat) co-injected i.c.v with a subthreshold dose of sst 5 (0.4 nmol/rat) inhibited gastric acid secretion. These results show that i.c.v. injection of somatostatin-14 inhibits basal gastric acid secretion in conscious rats through an action on sst 5 receptor subtype which can be potentiated by sst 2 receptor subtype.

Role of peripheral GABA B receptors in the regulation of pepsinogen secretion in anaesthetized rats

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role played by GABA B receptors in the regulation of gastric basal pepsinogen secretion in anaesthetized rats. Following parenteral administration, the GABA B receptor agonists (−)-baclofen and 3-aminopropylphosphinic acid (3-APPA) caused a dose-dependent increase in basal pepsinogen secretion which was associated with a parallel increment in acid output. The gastric stimulant effects induced by both agonists were not affected by intracerebroventricular injection of the GABA B receptor antagonists 2-hydroxy-saclofen, 3-aminopropyl(diethoxymethyl)phosphinic acid (CGP 35348) or phaclofen, whereas the excitatory actions were antagonized by intravenously administered 2-hydroxy-saclofen or CGP 35348, but not phaclofen. In addition, the (−)-baclofen-induced increases in both pepsinogen and acid output, were fully prevented by omeprazole or cimetidine, partly reduced by atropine and unaffected by pretreatment with capsaicin. When tested on rats undergoing bilateral cervical vagotomy, both (−)-baclofen and 3-APPA were still able to stimulate the basal pepsinogen and acid secretions, although at a lesser extent than in animals with intact vagus nerves. The stimulant actions elicited by (−)-baclofen in vagotomized rats were antagonized by 2-hydroxy-saclofen or CGP 35348, but not phaclofen. Moreover, these gastric excitatory effects were prevented by cimetidine or compound 48/80, while being unaffected by atropine. The present results show that peripheral GABA B receptors mediate an excitatory effect on gastric pepsinogen secretion which totally depends on an increase in acid output. It is also suggested that both vagal cholinergic and extravagal pathways, probably histaminergic in nature, take part in these GABA B receptor-mediated gastric stimulant actions.

Tonic suppression of gastric acid secretion by endogenous peptides in neonatal rats.

Stimulation of gastric acid secretion by secretagogues was measured in developing rats by in vivo and in vitro techniques. Basal acid outputs in vivo were very low in 8- and 14-day-old rats compared with those in 20- and 30-day-old rats. In 20-day-old rats, all secretagogues increased acid output in vivo, whereas only carbachol, pentagastrin, and sulfated cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8S) were active in 14-day-old rats. In contrast, basal acid output in vitro and stimulation by secretagogues did not differ significantly with age. CCK-8S-stimulated acid output in vitro in 14-day-old rats was blocked by L-365,260, L-364,718, tetrodotoxin, and atropine, but not by hexamethonium, whereas gastrin-stimulated acid output was blocked only by L-365,260. Furthermore, acid output in vivo was elevated three- to fourfold by subcutaneous naloxone-methiodide or L-364,718, but not by L-365,260, in 14-day-old rats; none of these antagonists produced an effect in 20-day-old rats. These studies show that low basal gastric acid output in neonatal rats is caused by tonic inhibitory regulation by endogenous regulatory peptides.

Regulation of murine acid secretion by CO2

To determine whether endogenous metabolic sources alone provide sufficient CO2 for acid secretion in mammals, basal and stimulated acid secretion and metabolic CO2 production were measured concurrently in mouse stomachs, in vitro, without exogenous CO2, and after addition of 5% CO2 serosally. Basal acid secretion was varied by changing luminal pH from 3.2 to 4.0. In the absence of an exogenous supply of CO2 acid secretion was stable under basal conditions and increased during cholinergic stimulation with carbachol. Serosal CO2 supply increased basal and stimulated acid secretion. The increase in basal acid secretion depended on the initial level of acid secretion. At pH 4.0, exogenous CO2 increased acid output (mean +/- SD) by 13% from 112 +/- 11 nmol/min to 126 +/- 8 nmol/min (P < 0.03), whereas at pH 3.6 the increase was 40% (63 +/- 14 to 88 +/- 20 nmol/min, P < 0.04) and 157% at pH 3.2 (21 +/- 13 to 54 +/- 14 nmol/min, P < 0.002). Following cholinergic stimulation a maximal acid output of 321 +/- 38 nmol/min was attained without serosal CO2, whilst addition of 5% CO2 to the serosal solution increased maximal acid secretion by 49% to 479 +/- 96 nmol/min (P < 0.005). Metabolic activity, measured as total gastric CO2 production, was greater as acid secretion rates increased [239 +/- 20 nmol/min at 21 +/- 13 nmol/min (luminal pH 3.2) versus 406 +/- 28 nmol/min at 321 +/- 17 nmol/min (after cholinergic stimulation)]. The data support the concept that basal and sub-maximal acid secretion can be maintained by CO2 available from metabolic sources, but full expression of the acid secretory apparatus requires exogenous CO2.

The role of gastric histamine release in the acid secretory response to pentagastrin and methacholine in the dog

We have previously demonstrated that both pentagastrin and methacholine can stimulate histamine release from the canine stomach during short term administration of the secretagogues into the gastrosplenic artery. In this study we tested the hypothesis that gastric histamine release determines the acid secretory response to acid secretagogues. Increasing doses of pentagastrin (2, 6, and 20 ng/kg/min) and methacholine (0.1, 0.3, and 1 micrograms/min) were infused into the gastrosplenic artery in dogs, while gastric acid output, histamine and N tau-methyl histamine secretory rates were monitored. Histamine and N tau-methyl histamine concentrations in plasma were measured using GC/NICI-MS. Increasing doses of pentagastrin resulted in increasing gastric output. Total histamine secretory rate expressed as the sum of histamine and N tau-methyl histamine secretory rate showed a significant increase above basal with the two highest doses of pentagastrin. Regression analysis correlating the dose of pentagastrin to gastric acid output gave a correlation coefficient of 0.586 which was very significant. Regression analysis correlating the total histamine secretory rate to acid output gave a correlation coefficient of 0.498 which was also very significant. Increasing doses of methacholine also resulted in a dose-dependent increase in acid output. Histamine secretory rates showed a statistically significant increase above basal only at the 1 microgram/min infusion rate, however, the total histamine secretory rates (histamine + N tau-methyl histamine) were no longer significant at any of the doses of methacholine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Gastrin and the growth of the gastrointestinal tract.

While the proliferative effects of gastrin in the gastric fundus are well established, there is a considerable degree of confusion regarding the role of gastrin on the growth of the small intestine and colon. The hypothesis that gastrin is trophic throughout the gut was tested by giving three doses of pentagastrin and one of gastrin 17 to rats maintained by total parenteral nutrition (TPN). The rats were fed intravenously for one week, with the various peptides added to the TPN diet. The number of vincristine arrested metaphases per gland or crypt was then scored to determine the proliferative state. Both gastrin 17 and pentagastrin were found to be trophic in the gastric fundus, but not to the gastric antrum. A proliferative response was also seen in the duodenum, but with little evidence of a dose response element. No effect on small bowel weight was seen, and no proliferative effect was noted in the mid small bowel, thus the duodenal effect could be attributed to a local action of increased acid output on the duodenum, not a general role throughout the small intestine. No proliferative effects of pentagastrin or gastrin were seen in the colon. It is therefore concluded that the trophic role of gastrin is restricted to the gastric fundus and the proximal duodenum.

Gastric acid secretion caused by gastrin-17 injection into both sides of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus in rats

Gastric acid outputs were examined after gastrin-17 (gastrin) injection into either side of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) or both sides of the PVN in bilaterally adrenalectomized rats. The acid output increased when 40 pM gastrin was unilaterally injected (10 s, 500 nl) into the PVN through a 28-gauge stainless steel tube. The acid output was also increased when 80 pM gastrin was iontophoretically injected (2 min, −50 nA) into the PVN through a glass tube. An additive increase in the acid output was elicited when an effective concentration of gastrin was simultaneously injected into both sides of the PVN. It was also noted that there was a significant increase in acid output when an ineffective concentration of gastrin was simultaneously injected into both sides of the PVN. Almost the same magnitude of acid response due to PVN gastrin was reproduced in normoglycemia, but it was diminished in hyperglycemia. These results suggest that PVN neurons sensitive to gastrin form a neural circuit in both sides of the nucleus, and the circuit acts to potentiate the stimulation of gastric acid which is dependent on the glycemic condition.

Comparison of Effects of Famotidine on Vagally and Field-Electrically Stimulated Acid Secretion in the Isolated Mouse Whole Stomach

Effects of famotidine on neuronally evoked acid secretion were investigated by means of vagal (at the lower esophagus level) and field-electrical stimulation (around the stomach) in the isolated mouse whole stomach preparation. Each of the electrical stimulations caused a frequency-dependent (1 to 20 Hz) increase in acid output, and the secretory response was abolished by tetrodotoxin or atropine. In the case of field stimulation, the acid secretion was not completely inhibited by hexamethonium. When 10 Hz frequency was applied with either vagal or field-electrical stimulation, the acid secretion was only partly inhibited by famotidine at doses of up to 30 μM. In contrast, the acid response to 2 Hz stimulation was almost completely inhibited by 1 μM famotidine. In the presence of neostigmine (30 nM), the 2 Hz vagally stimulated acid secretion became partly resistant to the effect of famotidine (10 μM). These results suggest that both vagally and field-electrically stimulated acid secretions have essentially the same characteristics and that the secretory mechanism through histamine release is exclusively dominant with weak stimulation, while the cholinergic mechanism on parietal cells is sufficient for reaching the maximal secretory response with strong stimulation.

Gastrin and the growth of the gastrointestinal tract

While the proliferative effects of gastrin in the gastric fundus are well established, there is a considerable degree of confusion regarding the role of gastrin on the growth of the small intestine and colon. The hypothesis that gastrin is trophic throughout the gut was tested by giving three doses of pentagastrin and one of gastrin 17 to rats maintained by total parenteral nutrition (TPN). The rats were fed intravenously for one week, with the various peptides added to the TPN diet. The number of vincristine arrested metaphases per gland or crypt was then scored to determine the proliferative state. Both gastrin 17 and pentagastrin were found to be trophic in the gastric fundus, but not to the gastric antrum. A proliferative response was also seen in the duodenum, but with little evidence of a dose response element. No effect on small bowel weight was seen, and no proliferative effect was noted in the mid small bowel, thus the duodenal effect could be attributed to a local action of increased acid output on the duodenum, not a general role throughout the small intestine. No proliferative effects of pentagastrin or gastrin were seen in the colon. It is therefore concluded that the trophic role of gastrin is restricted to the gastric fundus and the proximal duodenum.

Cephalic phase of colonic pressure response to food.

A cephalic phase of colonic pressure response to food was sought in five normal subjects (mean age (22.6) years, 22-24), studied on six separate occasions by recording intraluminal pressures in the unprepared sigmoid colon. Gastric acid secretion was measured simultaneously by continuous aspiration through a nasogastric tube. After a 60 minute basal period, one of five 30 minute food related cephalic stimuli, or a control stimulus was given in random order; records were continued for a further 120 minutes. The cephalic stimuli were: food discussion, sight and smell of food without taste, smell of food without sight or taste, sight of food without smell or taste, and modified sham feeding; the control stimulus was a discussion of neutral topics. Colonic pressures were expressed as study segment activity index (area under curve, mm Hg.min) derived by fully automated computer analysis. Gastric acid output was expressed as mmol/30 min. Food discussion significantly (p < 0.02, Wilcoxon's rank sum test) increased colonic pressure activity compared with control or basal activity. Smell of food without sight or taste also significantly (p < 0.03) increased the colonic pressure activity compared with control and basal periods. Sham feeding and sight and smell of food without taste significantly (p < 0.02 and p < 0.03) increased colonic pressures compared with control but not basal activity. The increase in colonic activity after sight of food without smell or taste was not significantly different from control or basal activity (p = 0.44 and p = 0.34). Food discussion was the strongest colonic stimulus tested. Food discussion and sham feeding significantly (p<0.02) stimulated gastric acid output above control and basal values. Sight and smell of food without taste significantly (p<0.02) increased acid output above basal. Smell of food without sight or taste and sight of food without smell or taste did not significantly (p=0.06, p=0.34) increase acid output. In contrast with the effect on colonic pressures, sham feeding was the best stimulus of acid output. Increased colonic pressure activity after food discussion correlated significantly (r=0.45, p<0.02) with gastric acid output. There was no correlation (r=-0.1, p>0.5) between colonic pressure activity and gastric acid output in the control study. These data show that there is a cephalic phase of the colonic response to food.

Vagal regulation of gastric prostaglandin E2 release by central TRH in rats

The central action of the stable thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) analogue, RX 77368, to induce vagal release of gastric prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was investigated in urethan-anesthetized rats. Intracisternal RX 77368 (1.5-1,000 ng) dose dependently increased gastric PGE2 levels measured for 3 h in the perfusate of dialysis fibers implanted into the corpus submucosa. RX 77368 injected intravenously (1,000 ng) had no effect. The stimulatory action of RX 77368 (1.5 ng) on gastric PGE2 release was blocked by indomethacin and bilateral cervical vagotomy. Omeprazole did not alter the PGE2 response to 3 ng of RX 77368 and reduced by 39% PGE2 release induced by the 1,000-ng dose. RX 77368 (1.5 ng) by itself did not influence acid secretion but increased acid output to 117 +/- 18 mumol/2 h in indomethacin-pretreated rats. Indomethacin also increased by 97% the acid response to the 3-ng dose of RX 77368, but the effect of a maximal effective dose of RX 77368 was not modified. These results indicate that RX 77368 acts in the brain to induce a vagal-dependent stimulation of gastric PGE2 secretion which is biologically active to reduce the acid response to submaximal doses of TRH analogue. These data suggest a possible role of medullary TRH in the central vagal regulation of gastric PGE2 release.

Effect of KB-2796, a New Diphenylpiperazine Ca2+ Antagonist, on Glutamate-Induced Neurotoxicity in Rat Hippocampal Primary Cell Cultures

We examined the effect of NC-1300-O-3 on the healing of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers in male Donryu rats. NC-1300-O-3, administered orally once daily for 2, 4 or 8 weeks after ulceration, significantly accelerated the spontaneous healing of both fresh and unhealed ulcers (induced by pretreatment with indomethacin). The delay in ulcer healing caused by indomethacin was markedly prevented by concurrent administration of NC-1300-O-3 once daily for 4 weeks in a dose-related manner. A bolus administration of NC-1300-O-3 to rats with 5-day-old ulcers potently and persistently (> 48 hr) inhibited both the basal and histamine-stimulated gastric secretion. However, the potency and duration of the anti-secretory activity of the compound, with or without indomethacin, gradually decreased with the period of treatment. After an 8-week treatment with NC-1300-O-3 alone, the volume of the gastric contents was markedly increased, resulting in an increased acid output. Administration of the compound together with indomethacin for 8 weeks resulted in a significant increase in the volume, no change in acid output and a significant increase in the pH. The spontaneous or delayed healing of gastric ulcers induced 4 weeks after pretreatment with NC-1300-O-3 was also significantly enhanced or prevented with NC-1300-O-3, with a weakened antisecretory activity. Therefore, NC-1300-O-3 seems to promote ulcer healing or prevents delayed healing by its potential antisecretory and/or ulcer-healing activities.

Role of prostaglandins in regulation of gastric mucosal blood flow and acid secretion.

The role of prostaglandins in the rat gastric mucosal vascular response to acid stimulation was studied. Blood flow was measured with laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF) and with red blood cell velocity measurements in the superficial mucosa; acid secretion was determined by titration. Baseline acid output was calculated to be 0.026 +/- 0.011 mueq/min. Pentagastrin (20 and 40 micrograms.kg-1.h-1 iv) significantly increased acid output to 0.387 +/- 0.104 and 0.546 +/- 0.220 mueq/min and LDF to 119 +/- 10 and 132 +/- 13% of control, respectively. LDF was significantly reduced by 15% after indomethacin (3 mg/kg iv) and was not changed by pentagastrin, whereas acid secretion increased to similar levels as without indomethacin pretreatment. The H2-agonist impromidine (100 and 500 micrograms.kg-1.h-1 iv) induced a dose-dependent increase in acid secretion (0.178 +/- 0.068 and 0.330 +/- 0.072 mueq/min, respectively) while blood flow was unchanged. Despite a substantial blood flow reduction (-38%) by indomethacin, impromidine did not alter blood flow, and acid secretion was dose dependently increased to similar values as without indomethacin pretreatment. These results provide further evidence that there is not necessarily any correlation between blood flow and acid secretion and that the pentagastrin-induced blood flow increase depends on prostaglandin release.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone analogue and serotonin interact within the dorsal vagal complex to augment gastric acid secretion

The effects of serotonin (5HT) and a thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) analogue, RX77368, on vagal control of gastric acid secretion were studied. Microinjection of RX77368 (0.66 pmol in 10 nl), but not 5HT (8 pmol in 10 nl), into the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) evoked a significant increase in acid output. When the same doses of RX77368 and 5HT were co-injected, the amount of acid secreted was significantly greater than that due to RX77368 alone. Thus, 5HT and the TRH analogue interact within the DVC to enhance vagal stimulation of acid secretion. The study suggests a possible functional significance of raphe TRH/serotonergic tracts projecting to the DVC.

Modulation by peripheral opioids of basal and distension-stimulated gastric acid secretion in the rat.

1. The influence of opioids in modulating gastric acid secretory responses has been investigated in the continuously perfused stomach of the anaesthetized rat. 2. Intravenous administration of morphine (0.75-3 mg kg-1) or the peripherally acting enkephalin analogue, BW443C (0.75-3 mg kg-1), substantially augmented acid secretion in basal conditions. These effects were significantly inhibited by the opioid antagonists naloxone (1 mg kg-1) and the peripherally acting N-methylnalorphine (2 mg kg-1). When administered alone, neither opioid antagonist influenced basal acid output. 3. Acid secretory responses to different levels of gastric distension (5-20 cmH2O) were significantly and dose-dependently reduced in rats pretreated with morphine (3 mg kg-1) or BW443C (1.5 mg kg-1). Previous administration of either naloxone or N-methyl nalorphine reversed the inhibitory effects of opioids on gastric acid secretion stimulated by distension. Likewise, blockade of opioid receptors with naloxone or N-methylnalorphine significantly increased acid output induced by distension. 4. Levels of serum gastrin in control animals were not increased after intragastric distension (20 cmH2O). Pretreatment with BW443C (1.5 mg kg-1) did not modify the levels of gastrin present during basal or distension stimulated conditions. 5. Pretreatment with morphine or BW443C did not influence the acid responses to i.v. injection of pentagastrin (100 micrograms kg-1), histamine (5 mg kg-1) or carbachol (4 micrograms kg-1). Acid secretion induced by i.v. administration of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (150 mg kg-1) was reduced in rats pretreated with morphine but not with BW443C. Gastric secretory responses to insulin (0.3 i.u. kg-1) were not modified by i.v. morphine.6. These observations support a role for peripherally acting opioids in the regulation of gastric acid secretion during basal and distension-stimulated conditions.

Vagal influences on gastric acid secretion in response to gastric distension in the ferret

The role of the vagus nerve in the stimulation of gastric acid secretion was investigated by comparing the acid output in response to gastric distension during augmented secretion mediated by electrical vagal stimulation and pentagastrin. Under control conditions distension increased acid output from 29.8 ± 3 μmol/10 min to 59.9 ± 5.5 μmol/10 min ( P < 0.0001). Bilateral cervical vagotomy significantly reduced both basal acid secretion and the response to distension although the increase during distension was still significant. Electrical vagal stimulation augmented basal acid output and the response to distension, and at 1 Hz both parameters were not different from that before vagotomy. However, the sensitivity of the response to distension was unchanged by vagal stimulation. Pentagastrin infusion augmented basal acid secretion and the response to distension in a similar manner to vagal stimulation. We conclude that the vagus nerves potentiate the gastric acid secretory response to distension not by facilitating enteric reflexes but by an action at the level of the parietal cell.

Aggravation by the Capsaicin-Treatment of Gastric Antral Ulcer Induced by the Combination of 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose, Aspirin and Ammonia in Rats

The effect of capsaicin-sensitive nerve degeneration (capsaicin-treatment) was investigated on the antral ulcer induction by the combined administration of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG; 200 mg/kg, i.v.), aspirin (200 mg/kg, p.o.) and 1% ammonia solution (10 ml/kg, p.o.) in male Sprague-Dawley rats. On the 2nd day after ulcer induction, erosive lesions were seen in the corpus, and ulcers penetrating into the muscularis mucosae were also seen in the antrum. In the capsaicin-treated rats, the antral ulcer was significantly aggravated as compared with that in capsaicin non-treated rats, although no difference was noted in the formation of corpus lesions between capsaicin-treated rats and non-treated rats. Acid output was investigated in pylorus ligated rats. 2-DG significantly increased the acid output. A significant increase in acid output was also observed in capsaicin-treated rats, and this increase tended to be augmented by the additional treatment with 2-DG. Atropine sulfate inhibited the significant increase in acid output of the capsaicin-treated rats. In all rats, both capsaicin-treated and pylorus-ligated, 2-DG induced antral ulcers that penetrated into the muscularis mucosae. From the above results, it was suggested that capsaicin-sensitive nerve degeneration modifies the gastroprotective ability in the antral mucosa to a greater extent than in the fundic mucosa, and this aggravation may be caused by activation of the vagus nerve, although the role of acid is not completely excluded.

Aggravation by the Capsaicin-Treatment of Gastric Antral Ulcer Induced by the Combination of 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose, Aspirin and Ammonia in Rats.

The effect of capsaicin-sensitive nerve degeneration (capsaicin-treatment) was investigated on the antral ulcer induction by the combined administration of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG; 200 mg/kg, i.v.), aspirin (200 mg/kg, p.o.) and 1% ammonia solution (10 ml/kg, p.o.) in male Sprague-Dawley rats. On the 2nd day after ulcer induction, erosive lesions were seen in the corpus, and ulcers penetrating into the muscularis mucosae were also seen in the antrum. In the capsaicin-treated rats, the antral ulcer was significantly aggravated as compared with that in capsaicin non-treated rats, although no difference was noted in the formation of corpus lesions between capsaicin-treated rats and non-treated rats. Acid output was investigated in pylorus ligated rats. 2-DG significantly increased the acid output. A significant increase in acid output was also observed in capsaicin-treated rats, and this increase tended to be augmented by the additional treatment with 2-DG. Atropine sulfate inhibited the significant increase in acid output of the capsaicin-treated rats. In all rats, both capsaicin-treated and pylorus-ligated, 2-DG induced antral ulcers that penetrated into the muscularis mucosae. From the above results, it was suggested that capsaicin-sensitive nerve degeneration modifies the gastroprotective ability in the antral mucosa to a greater extent than in the fundic mucosa, and this aggravation may be caused by activation of the vagus nerve, although the role of acid is not completely excluded.

Mental stress and gastric acid secretion

In 14 healthy male volunteers, we studied the influence of acute mental (= psychological) stress induced by performing mental arithmetic and solving anagrams against a financial reward on endogenously stimulated gastric acid output. Personality factors were determined by the Personality Research Form. Acute mental stress significantly (P less than 0.05) increased systolic blood pressure (+8.9 +/- 2.0 mm Hg +/- SEM) and heart rate (+5.3 +/- 1.6 beats/min). The mean gastric acid output during the mental stress period (17.9 +/- 2.7 mmol/32 min) did not significantly differ from pre- (16.9 +/- 2.3 mmol/32 min) and poststress (18.1 +/- 2.2 mmol/32 min) values. However, detailed analysis revealed that mental stress induced contrary changes of gastric acid output in different subjects. About half the individuals reacted with a decrease (up to 60%) and the other half with an increase (up to 60%) in acid output. In some individuals the changes of gastric acid output were very small. By multiple correlations, impulsivity was identified as the personality trait with the highest correlation coefficient (r = 0.82) with changes of gastric acid output during the acute mental stress period. During the mental stress period, gastric acid output increased in subjects with high scores on the impulsivity scale, but significantly decreased in those with low scores. We conclude that (1) there is a great individual variability in gastric acid response to acute mental stress, and (2) this variability may be partly attributed to differences in personality traits.