title: Proton pump inhibitors reduce the size and acidity of the acid pocket in the stomach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The gastric acid pocket is believed to be the reservoir from which acid reflux events originate. Little is known about how changes in position, size, and acidity of the acid pocket contribute to the therapeutic effect of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-six patients with GERD (18 not taking PPIs, 18 taking PPIs; 19 men; age, 55 ± 2.1 y) were analyzed by concurrent high-resolution manometry and pH-impedance monitoring after a standardized meal. The acid pocket was visualized using scintigraphy after intravenous administration of (99m)technetium-pertechnetate. The size of the acid pocket was measured and its position was determined, relative to the diaphragm, using radionuclide markers on a high-resolution manometry catheter. At the end of the study, the acid pocket was aspirated, and its pH level was measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The number of reflux episodes was comparable between patients on and off PPIs, but the number of acid reflux episodes was reduced significantly in patients on PPIs. In patients on PPIs, the acid pocket was smaller and more frequently located below the diaphragm. The mean pH of the acid pocket was significantly lower in patients not taking PPIs (n = 6) than in those who were (n = 16) (0.9; range, 0.7-1.2 vs 4.0; range, 1.6-5.9; P < .001). The pH of acid pockets correlated significantly with the lowest pH values measured for refluxate (r = 0.72; P < .01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on analyses of acid pockets in patients with GERD, the acid pocket appears to be a reservoir from which reflux occurs when patients are receiving PPIs. PPIs might affect the size, acidity, or position of the acid pocket, which contributes to the efficacy in patients with GERD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Wout O
authors.initials: WO
authors.lastname: Rohof
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Roelof J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Bennink
authors.affiliation: Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: guy.boeckxstaens@med.kuleuven.be.
authors.forename: Guy E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Boeckxstaens
mesh_terms: D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D005750:Gastric Juice / Q000737:chemistry*; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013270:Stomach / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors
keywords: Drug; Esophagus; Lower Esophageal Sphincter Relaxations; Stomach