Regulation and Disorders of Gastric Secretion Flashcards
What are the contents of gastric juice?
Cations: Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, H⁺ Anions: Cl⁻, HPO₄²⁺, SO₄²⁻ Pepsins: secreted by chief cells Lipase: converts TG → FA and glycerol Mucus Intrinsic factor: secreted by parietal cells
How much gastric acid is in the body?
Gastric juice adds ~2.5 L/day to intestinal contents
What is the pH of gastric secretions?
pH ~3.0
Describe the structure and secretions at the top of the stomach
Thin-walled upper portion of the stomach (fundus and body) secretes mucus, HCl and pepsinogen
Describe the structure and secretions of the lower stomach
Thick-walled lower portion (antrum): ↓HCl secretion, but ↑ gastrin secretion which mediates acid secretion ∴ ↑ HCl secretion esp. In body of stomach
What is the top of the stomach called?
Fundus
Describe the structure of the stomach body
Body has numerous epithelial cells with numerous tubular glands
What is the lower half of the stomach called?
antrum
What is the pylorus?
opening from stomach into duodenum
What is the role of the stomach glands ?
Wall of the glands is lined with parietal cells
→ HCl and intrinsic factor
What are the exocrine secretions of the stomach?
Exocrine secretion of the stomach: mucus, acid, pepsinogen
Describe the secretions of the enterochromaffin-like cells
(ECL) → paracrine agents, e.g. histamine
Where is gastric acid produced?
in stomach lumen
Explain how gastric acid is produced
HCO₃⁻ dissociates into blood and is exchanged for Cl⁻
=> ↓ acidity of venous blood from stomach compared to blood serving it
Excess Cl⁻ diffuses into stomach through chloride channels as H+ is pumped into stomach lumen
(K+/H+-ATPase pumps H+ out into stomach lumen
What is the net effect of gastric acid production?
Net effect = net flow of H+ Cl⁻ out of the parietal cell and into stomach lumen (-stomach secretes ~2L of HCl/day at 150mM)
What is ‘resting juice’?
Some amount of gastric juice is described as resting juice - plasma, but alkaline (pH 7.4-7.7) due to ↑HCO₃⁻
Describe the composition of mucus
alkaline, thick and sticky; ↑HCO₃⁻; forms water-insoluble gel on epithelial surface; protects against H+ secretion
What is the role of renin?
curdles milk into casein clot
What is the role of lipase?
converts triglycerides → fatty acids and glycerol
How does pancreatic insufficiency affect lipase function?
pancreatic insufficiency = inhibits lipase production; faeces is v. sticky & smelly
What is the role of intrinsic factor?
(prevents pernicious anaemia): absorption of vitamin B12
When is HCl secretion increased?
At meal times,
Which phases are involved in food digestion and absorption?
- Cephalic
- Gastric
- Intestinal phases
How is HCl secretion regulated?
HCl secretion is regulated by neuronal pathways and duodenal hormones
How is HCl secretion directly regulated?
Directly; neuronal / hormones act on parietal cells → ↑ acid secretion
How is HCl secretion regulated indirectly?
Indirectly, on ECL cells influence the secretion of gastrin and histamine → parietal cells which ↑ acid secretion
Describe HCl secretion during the cephalic phase?
smell, sight, taste, chewing: ACh release
ACh stimulates histamine release from ECL cells
ACh acts directly on parietal cells → HCl secretion
What is the role of D cells?
stimulated due to increased acid secretion, releasing somatostatin which has inhibitory effects on ECL, Parietal cells by inhibiting G cells so acid doesn’t damage GI
What occurs during the gastric phase?
(distension of stomach; ↑ [peptide] ↑acidity (↑[H+]) - important quantitatively
How does acid secretion alter due to lumen acidity?
Acid secretion decreases as the acidity of the lumen increases
Describe the stomach acidity before a meal
Acidity of stomach lumen is ↑ before a meal (no buffers)
Describe the effect of proteins on gastric secretions
More proteins = ↑ peptides in stomach (↑ gastrin secretion)
Proteins act as buffers in the gastric lumen
HCl secretion increases, increasing luminal acidity
Outline the mechanism of protein action on gastric secretions
H+ & proteins → ↓ [H +]; by acting as buffer, proteins remove the inhibitory powers of HCl on gastrin secretion and so acid secretion also decreases
This then increases gastrin-mediated acid secretion
Why are people with acid secretion problems advised not to eat high protein diets?
A meal (peptides, amino acids) elicits feedback inhibitory and stimulatory signals which ultimately increase acid secretion via stimulation of gastrin secretion