Breakdown of mucosal defences in congestive gastropathy in cirrhotics.
The gastric mucus-bicarbonate barrier, the first line of mucosal defence, has been evaluated in patients with congestive gastropathy and cirrhosis of the liver. Fourteen cirrhotic patients of both sexes (Child's class A or B), with or without oesophageal varices, but with endoscopic signs of congestive gastropathy, and a matched group of healthy controls were studied. The amount of luminal mucoproteins, a Mucoprotective Index as a qualitative assessment of mucus secretion and the output of gastric bicarbonate were determined in basal conditions. In patients with congestive gastropathy a significant (p < 0.01) reduction in all the above parameters was observed, suggesting a substantial impairment of the gastric mucus-bicarbonate barrier. Whether this is an independent phenomenon or a consequence of altered local microcirculation remains to be determined.
Guslandi
M
M
Gastroenterology Unit, S. Raffaele Hospital, University of Milan, Italy.
Foppa
L
L
Sorghi
M
M
Pellegrini
A
A
Fanti
L
L
Tittobello
A
A
D000368:Aged; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009088:Mucoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
D001639:Bicarbonates; D009088:Mucoproteins