[Bicarbonate deficiency and duodenal peptic ulcer]

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Physiology

Background:

• Alkaline gastric secretion plays a crucial role in maintaining acid-base balance within the stomach.
• Dysregulation of gastric secretion is implicated in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal diseases like duodenal ulcers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate alkaline gastric secretion in healthy individuals and patients with duodenal ulcers (DU) and chronic gastritis (CG).
• To evaluate the effects of H2-histamine receptor blockers on gastric secretion in these groups.

Main Methods:

• Enrolled 74 DU patients, 28 CG patients, and 16 healthy controls.
• Assessed gastric secretion in basal and hydrochloric acid-stimulated states.
• Administered ranitidine (an H2-histamine receptor blocker) to observe its effects.

Main Results:

• DU patients showed significantly reduced bicarbonate secretion in basal and stimulated conditions.
• A threefold decrease in the alkaline/acid secretion ratio was observed in DU patients, with a trend towards acidosis.
• H2-histamine receptor blocker administration led to the recovery of the acid-alkaline balance.

Conclusions:

• Bicarbonate deficiency is a key pathogenic factor in duodenal ulcers.
• Modulating gastric secretion with H2-histamine receptor blockers can restore acid-alkaline homeostasis.