The estimation of gastric secretory capacity by the telemetering method of pH-sensitive radiocapsule

Using a pH-sensitive radiotelemetering capsule with antimony electrode or glass electrode, the capacity of the gastric acid secretion was determined according to a modified Satveny's method on four healthy controls and 19 patients with peptic ulcer, and it was compared with that from the usual aspiration method. As to the basal condition, acid output couldn't be measured by the telemetering method in most cases because of high pH value in the stomach. There was no definite relation between two methods. On the other hand, acid output from the telemetering after stimulation of AOC-tetragastrin (4 gamma/kg, s.c.) showed a good reproducibility and good correlation with that from the aspiration method (r = +0.86). And the difference between two methods could be explained from the fact that some volume of secreted acid escaped into the duodenum before being neutralized by potassium bicarbonate, and that some of gastric juice remained not aspirated in the stomach.