Related Experiment Videos
Gastric response to mucosal IgE-mediated reactions
A G Catto-Smith1, M K Patrick, R B Scott
1Gastrointestinal Research Group, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
The American Journal of Physiology
|November 1, 1989
Summary
The stomach reacts to food protein allergies via immunoglobulin E (IgE) pathways. Antigen challenge in sensitized rats increased stomach acid and slowed emptying, indicating the stomach is a target organ.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
- Allergy Research
Background:
- Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated anaphylaxis is well-studied in the small intestine.
- Limited data exists on stomach responses to IgE-mediated food protein reactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the stomach's response to IgE-mediated mucosal reactions to food proteins.
- To examine gastric acid secretion, gastric emptying, and mast cell degranulation.
Main Methods:
- Sensitization of rats to egg albumin.
- Intraluminal antigenic challenge of the stomach.
- Measurement of gastric acid secretion and emptying.
- Histological examination of stomach mucosa for mast cell degranulation.
- Assay of histamine and rat mast cell protease II levels.
Main Results:
- Egg albumin challenge in sensitized rats significantly increased gastric acid secretion and delayed gastric emptying.
- The response was antigen-specific; bovine serum albumin had no effect.
- Histological evidence confirmed mast cell degranulation and increased histamine release in the stomach mucosa.
- Increased rat mast cell protease II levels indicated mucosal mast cell activation.
Conclusions:
- The stomach is a target organ for IgE-mediated food protein reactions.
- Antigen challenge triggers increased gastric acid secretion and delayed gastric emptying.
- These effects are linked to mucosal mast cell activation in the stomach.