[Transmucosal potential difference of the stomach wall in man and its relation to HCl secretion]

The measurement of the gastric transmucosal potential difference (PD) in healthy volunteers under endoscopic control revealed: 1. The local PD can be observed also in regions where oxyntic cells are rare or absent. 2. When the gastric mucosa ist irritated mechanically by the tip of the electrolyte bridge, the local PD is declining and becomes poorly reproducible. 3. The reduction of the PD by pentagastrin can be observed even after blockade of the HCl-secretion by cimetidine. It has two components, a rapid and a slower one. Our results are questioning the concept of an electrogenic HCl-transport as the source of the PD and the interpretation of the PD as a quantitative indicator for the functional integrity of the mucosa barrier.