Meal-stimulated gastric acid secretion and integrated gastric acidity in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
BACKGROUND
No current methods exist to determine meal-stimulated gastric acid secretion in humans under conditions that approximate those of daily living with the ingestion of breakfast, lunch and dinner.


METHODS
Gastric and oesophageal pH were measured in 26 healthy subjects and in 59 subjects with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Meal-stimulated gastric acid secretion was calculated from the buffer capacity of the meals determined in vitro and from the time required for the gastric pH to decrease to pH 2 in vivo following ingestion of the meal.


RESULTS
There was a significant correlation between gastric secretion with each meal and the corresponding post-prandial integrated gastric acidity. There was also a significant correlation between meal-stimulated gastric secretion and integrated gastric acidity from 09.00 to 22.00 h in both subjects with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and controls. In subjects with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, gastric secretion and integrated gastric acidity from 09.00 to 22.00 h were significantly higher than those in controls. There was a significant correlation between oesophageal acidity and integrated gastric acidity from 09.00 to 22.00 h in subjects with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.


CONCLUSIONS
As post-prandial gastric acidity is increased in subjects with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, it seems likely that increased gastric acidity is an important aetiological factor in this disease.
Gardner
J D
JD
Science for Organizations, Inc., Chatham, NJ 07928, USA. gardnerj@bellatlantic.net
Sloan
S
S
Miner
P B
PB
Robinson
M
M
D053799:2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles; D000328:Adult; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019518:Postprandial Period; D064750:Rabeprazole; D013997:Time Factors
D053799:2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D064750:Rabeprazole; D009853:Omeprazole