The depressive influence of the sympathetic nerves on gastric acidity

Pyloric antral inhibition of gastrin release

Inconsistencies and omissions in current explanations for the well known depressions of gastric acid secretion and blood gastrin levels following acidification by antral stimulants are discussed. Evidence is presented which favors a reciprocal sensitivity relationship between the fundic mucosa and the antral G cells, such that blood gastrin levels rise when the secreting fundic mucosa is compromised and acid secretion in response to exogenous gastrin is increased when G cells are depressed or reduced. The functional connections between the two phenomena are considered to be nervous.

Smoking and the alimentary tract: a review

Because of inherent and inseparable variables, studies of the effect of smoking on gastric secretion and motility have proved inconclusive. The only firm conclusions to be drawn from the work reviewed are that the prognosis of both gastric and duodenal ulcers is made worse by regular smoking and that the healing and response of gastric ulcers to medical treatment is impaired. The mechanisms through which these effects are produced are unknown. It is not even certain that nicotine is the chief noxious agent in tobacco. Careful statistical and epidemiological studies have yielded such facts as exist and this approach seems the most promising one for future studies.