The effect of pressure changes inside the antrum on lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure in man and dog

The pressure change inside the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) in response to pressure changes inside the antrum was investigated in man and in dogs with antral pouches. In dogs with innervated antral pouches a pressure increase of 20 cm H2O inside the antrum produced an increase in LES pressure of 14 +/- 7 mm Hg, whereas an antral pressure of 80 cm H2O caused a decrease of 26 +/- 12 mm Hg in LES pressure (x +/- SD). Truncal vagotomy abolished LES response to the various antral pressures. In dogs with denervated antral pouches antral pressure changes did not influence LES pressure. In the dogs gastrin levels rose due to antral pressure increase; this was less pronounced in the dogs with denervated antral pouches than in the dogs with innervated antral pouches. In man a short antral pressure increase revealed a decrease in LES pressure. This effect was not seen in patients after selective proximal vagotomy.