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Summary
Gastric secretion, including gastric juice, hydrochloric acid, and pepsin, generally increases until age 25, then declines. This study evaluated gastric secretion changes in 821 males aged 18-55.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Human Physiology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Understanding age-related changes in gastric secretion is crucial for diagnosing and managing gastrointestinal disorders.
- Previous research has indicated variability in gastric function across different age groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the longitudinal changes in gastric secretion parameters in healthy adult males.
- To identify age-specific patterns and variations in gastric juice, hydrochloric acid, pepsin, and gastric mucoprotein production.
Main Methods:
- Evaluation of gastric secretion in 821 male inpatients aged 18-55 years with healthy gastrointestinal, nervous, and endocrine systems.
- Analysis of gastric juice volume, hydrochloric acid concentration, pepsin concentration, and gastric mucoprotein levels.
- Assessment of secretory response to reflex intestinal and humoral stimuli.
Main Results:
- Gastric secretion parameters showed a tendency to increase with age in 70% of subjects until peaking around age 25.
- Secretion remained stable for approximately 15 years post-peak before progressively declining, with a 16.7% reduction by age 50.
- The response to reflex intestinal stimuli decreased after age 40, while the response to humoral stimuli increased.
Conclusions:
- Gastric secretion exhibits distinct age-dependent patterns in healthy males, with a significant decline in later middle age.
- Variations such as early adolescent hyposecretion and middle-life hypersecretion can occur.
- Findings are valuable for clinical practice, occupational health, and population health screenings.