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Gastric mucosal defences in the elderly.
M Guslandi1, A Pellegrini, M Sorghi
1Gastroenterology Unit, S. Raffaele Hospital, University of Milan, Italy. guslandi.mario@hsr.it
Gerontology
|July 8, 1999
Summary
Elderly individuals exhibit diminished gastric mucosal defenses, including reduced mucus and bicarbonate secretion and impaired blood flow. This makes them more susceptible to gastric injury.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Gerontology
- Physiology
Background:
- Elderly individuals are more susceptible to gastric injury.
- Data on gastric mucosal protective mechanisms in the elderly are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate gastric mucus and bicarbonate secretion in elderly patients.
- To assess local microcirculation in the gastric mucosa of the elderly.
Main Methods:
- Collected fasting gastric juice from 45 elderly patients and 45 controls.
- Measured total mucoproteins, mucus secretion index, and gastric bicarbonate.
- Assessed gastric mucosal blood flow using laser Doppler flowmetry in elderly and younger subjects.
Main Results:
- Elderly patients showed significantly reduced mucus and bicarbonate production (p < 0.01).
- Gastric mucosal perfusion was also significantly decreased in aged subjects (p < 0.01).
- The quality of mucus secretion remained unaltered.
Conclusions:
- Gastric mucosal defenses are impaired in the elderly.
- Reduced defenses may explain increased susceptibility to gastric injury.
- The role of atrophic gastritis and H. pylori requires further investigation.