[Antral morphology and serum-gastrin levels in achlorhydria]

38 patients were found to have achlorhydria after maximal stimulation with pentagastrin and on multiple biopsies (atrophy of gastric mucosa). It was demonstrated that the sequence pH-antroreceptors-G cells-parietal cells-pH antroreceptors was interrupted already in mild or moderately severe superficial gastritis of the antral mucosa involving more than half of the antral surface. Reduction of specific functional epithelium is unlikely in this form of inflammation so that it is probably an effect of the pH receptors.