title: Breakdown of mucosal defences in congestive gastropathy in cirrhotics.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Unit, S. Raffaele Hospital, University of Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guslandi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Foppa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sorghi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pellegrini
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fanti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tittobello
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D001639:Bicarbonates; D009088:Mucoproteins