Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 3, 2026

Detection of the pH-dependent Activity of Escherichia coli Chaperone HdeB In Vitro and In Vivo
Published on: October 23, 2016
The protective role of gastric acid
1Dept. of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract:
This paper reviews the relationship between gastric acid secretion and infection and the protective role of gastric acid as a primary bactericidal barrier and modulator of gastrin section. Gastric acid is bactericidal at pH 3 or less, but reduction of acidity predisposes to infection with a wide variety of bacteria. Bacterial infections or hyperpyrexia may be associated with a marked reduction in gastric acid secretion, and Campylobacter pylori has been suggested as one cause of epidemic hypochlorhydria. Achlorhydria is also associated with hypergastrinaemia with levels 20-fold higher in pernicious anaemia patients than normal subjects. Treatment with antisecretory drugs is associated with hypergastrinaemia with gastrin levels 2- to 5-fold higher than with placebo, and the gastrin levels correlate with the degree of acid suppression. The possible relationship among infection, acid suppression, hypergastrinaemia, and the development of enterochromaffin cell hyperplasia and possible carcinogenesis is reviewed.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Stomach pH Regulation
The acid-secreting gastric mucosal epithelial cells (parietal cells) lining the stomach lumen maintain the low pH in the lumen. Numerous ion transporters and channels on these parietal...
Pathophysiology of Peptic Ulcer Disease: Injurious Factors
In the antrum region, G cells secrete the gastrin hormone that binds to gastrin-cholecystokinin-B (CCK2) receptors on parietal and enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells in the fundic glands. Simultaneously, the vagus nerve releases acetylcholine, which binds to M3...
Pathophysiology of Peptic Ulcer Disease: Mucosal Defense Factors
Acid Suppressive Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease: Proton Pump Inhibitors
Gastric acid, a potent cocktail of hydrogen and chloride ions, is produced in specialized parietal cells within the...
Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease: Sucralfate as Mucosal Protective Agents
In this scenario, mucosal protective agents like sucralfate play an essential role. Sucralfate, a complex of sulfated sucrose and aluminum hydroxide, demonstrates its usefulness in acidic conditions,...
Mucosal Barrier of the Stomach
Within parietal cells, carbonic acid is first formed through the reaction of water and carbon dioxide. The dissociation of carbonic acid releases bicarbonate and hydrogen ions. The bicarbonate...

