Response to Duodenal Acidification in Man

Abstract

Duodenal perfusion with acid was carried out in patients with duodenal and gastric ulcers, in normal subjects, and in a group of patients with miscellaneous gastroenterological disorders. All subjects responded to acid with a net secretion of sodium, chloride, and a decrease in the osmolality of the duodenal contents. The capacity to dispose of acid in the duodenum was limited in all subjects and was less in most DU patients than in most normal subjects and all GU patients. In DU patients and normal subjects, impairment of the capacity to dispose of acid was associated with a high gastric secretory response to pentagastrin, while greater capacity to remove intraduodenal acid was associated with a lesser gastric acid response to pentagastrin.

Key-words:

• Duodenum
• duodenal ulcer
• hydrochloric acid