Active alkalinization by amphibian gastric fundic mucosa in vitro

Gastric fundic mucosae in vitro from four species of frog and Necturus secrete HCO-3 at a steady-state rate of 0.25-0.55 microneq-cm-2-h-1 which corresponds to 5-10% of maximal H+ secretion. Net alkalinization was quantitated in mucosae with spontaneously resting H+ secretion or in mucosae inhibited by histamine H2-receptor antagonists or SNC-. HCO-3 secretion was inhibited by DNP (10(-4) M), CN- (10(-2) M), or anoxia. Acetazolamide inhibited alkalinization at 10(-2) M when added to the nutrient side and at 10(-4) M on the luminal side. Carbachol (10(-4) M) and DBcGMP (10(-4) M) stimulated alkalinization and caused a transient rise in the transmucosal PD; DBcAMP (10(-3) M) was without effect. An almost identical secretion occurred spontaneously in antral mucosae and was insensitive to histamine (10(-5) M). Occurrence in both antral and fundic mucosa suggests that active alkalinization is a property of gastric surface epithelial cells. Gastric alkalinization may protect the luminal surface of the mucosa from the damaging effects of acid and contribute to the continuous removal of H+ ions from gastric contents.