Role of aggressive factors in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease

Acid and pepsin are the major aggressive factors believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease. On the average, patients with duodenal ulcer disease have higher than normal basal, nocturnal, and pentagastrin-stimulated acid secretion. Food-stimulated acid secretion, however, is normal in duodenal ulcer patients. The reason for higher basal and nocturnal acid secretion is not known but may be secondary to higher than normal basal serum gastrin concentrations in duodenal ulcer patients. Average serum pepsinogen levels also are higher than normal in patients with duodenal ulcer disease, suggesting that luminal pepsin concentrations also are higher. Patients with gastric ulcers have either normal or lower than normal acid secretion. This suggests that factors other than acid and pepsin may play a role in causing gastric ulcers. Reflux of bile and pancreatic juice into the stomach of patients with gastric ulcers has been suggested as one of the aggressive factors playing a role in the development of gastric ulcers.