Glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid actions on gastric secretion in man

The effects of a 6-day course of treatment with a glucocorticoid (prednisolone, 1 g per day i.v.), a mineralocorticoid (9-alpha-fluorohydrocortisone, 0.3 mg per day orraly), or both the drugs on gastric secretion of acid, protein, pepsin, and N-acetylneuraminic acid (NANA) containing glycoproteins were investigated in 22 volunteers. None of the treatments produced any statistically significant changes in gastric secretion of aggressive factors, acid and pepsin. However, the output of protective NANA bound to glycoproteins was found to be decreased following prednisolone. The prednisolone effect was not prevented by 9-alpha-fluorhydrocortisone given concomitantly. Gastroduodenoscopy did not reveal any lesions attributable to drug adminstration.