AJP - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, Vol 244, Issue 5 475-G479, Copyright © 1983 by American Physiological Society
Scanning electron microscopy of the stomach during modifications of acid secretion
L. R. Wood and A. Dubois
Acute stimulation of gastric acid secretion as well as intragastric
instillation of physiological concentrations and volumes of HCl caused
marked changes in the appearance of surface epithelial cells of the
stomach. These changes could represent a damage of the gastric surface
epithelial cells of the stomach. Pretreatment with the histamine
H2-receptor-blocking drug cimetidine tended to reduce this damage, although
the difference was not significant. In contrast, it was completely
abolished by an analogue of prostaglandin E2. These observations suggest
that gastric epithelial cells may be damaged under physiological conditions
and that quick repair is needed to prevent ulceration of the gastric
mucosa. Alternatively, endogenous release of prostaglandin under certain
undefined conditions could prevent this damage.
