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Abstract
Gastric mucus secretion was quantitatively and qualitatively assessed in 44 patients with endoscopic diagnosis of erosive prepyloric changes (EPC) grade 2 or 3. A matched group of patients with normal endoscopic appearance was used as a control group. The total amount of mucus glycoproteins in fasting gastric juice was similar in EPC patients and in healthy controls. However, the viscous and protective properties of mucus, as assessed by the ratio of neutral to total mucoproteins (‘mucoprotective index’) was significantly (p < 0.01) reduced in patients with macroscopic erosions (grade 3 EPC). Alterations of the gastric mucous coating may account for the passive intraluminal outflow of HC03 previously reported in subjects with grade 3 EPC. Whether the impairment of the ‘mucus-bicarbonate’ barrier is a cause or a consequence of prepyloric erosions remains to be determined.