Duodenal disappearance rate of acid during inhibition of mucosal bicarbonate secretion

Duodenal acid clearance in humans: observations made with intraluminal impedance recording

Duodenal acid clearance appears to be involved not only in the pathogenesis of duodenal ulcer disease but also in functional dyspepsia. Duodenal contractile activity can help to maintain neutral pH in the duodenum by mixing acid with bicarbonate or by aborally transporting the acid load. Intraluminal impedance recording, allowing the detection of nonacid liquid boluses, can be carried out concomitantly with antroduodenal manometry and pH recording and may thus provide useful information about the mechanisms involved in duodenal clearance of endogenous acid and volume boluses. Eight H. pylori-negative healthy volunteers were studied with two catheters positioned across the pylorus, allowing the recording of five impedance signals (one antral, one pyloric, and three duodenal) simultaneously with six pressure signals (two antral, one pyloric, and three duodenal) as well as distal antral and proximal duodenal pH. During phase II of the migrating motor complex, which is known to be associated with the highest duodenal acid exposure, each duodenal acidification event (defined as a pH drop >2 pH units) was characterized by its maximal amplitude, duration, temporal relationship with antroduodenal manometric events, and relation to impedance variations. Acid was considered to have been cleared from the duodenum when the preacidification pH was restored (+/-0.2 unit). A total of 164 duodenal pH drops were recorded during the 323 min of phase II recordings. Eleven percent of the duodenal acidification events were short-lived (<10 sec). All of these events were temporally associated with a propagated antroduodenal contraction and a short-lived drop in impedance, suggesting rapid aboral passage of the acid bolus. The long-lived duodenal acidification events lasted a mean of 32 sec (range, 25-66 sec). In 90% of these events an antroduodenal propagated contraction was recorded at the time of onset. Repetitive duodenal contractions followed the onset of the long-lived acidification events in 34% of the cases. These remained present until complete clearance of the acid. In 81% of the long-lived acidification events, recovery of the associated impedance drop occurred simultaneously with the pH recovery, suggesting a complete clearance of the bolus. Less frequently (19%), the duodenal pH recovered while the impedance remained low, suggesting that the bolus was not cleared but neutralized. Interdigestive duodenal acidification events usually last about 30 sec. They evoke duodenal contractions in only one-third of cases. Combined pH and impedance recording makes it possible to distinguish between neutralization of acid boluses and their complete total clearance.

The effect of cisapride on duodenal acid exposure in the proximal duodenum in healthy subjects

AIM

To investigate the effect of the prokinetic drug, cisapride, on fasting and postprandial acid exposure in the proximal duodenum.

METHODS

Using a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study design, 12 healthy male volunteers were studied. After 1 week of dosing (cisapride 20 mg b.d. orally or placebo), fasting and postprandial antroduodenal pH-and pressure-recordings were made. Using a small-caliber (4 mm) catheter, containing one antral and two duodenal pH electrodes, and two antral and three duodenal pressure recording sites. Transmucosal potential difference was measured to ensure proper catheter position. Infusions of 0.1 N HCl were given in the duodenal bulb.

RESULTS

Endogenous acidification of the duodenal bulb occurred more frequently during phase II and postprandially, compared to phase I (P<0.001). During phase I, alkalinization of the antrum was observed. Cisapride significantly increased the postprandial number of duodenal acidic periods (P<0.02), but shortened their duration (P<0.04). The duodenal motor response elicited by exogenous acid was lower during phase I (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Antral and proximal duodenal acidity vary with the phases of the interdigestive motor complex. Cisapride shortens the individual periods of duodenal acidification.

Duodenal erosions and ulcers in patients with pancreatobiliary obstruction

In order to determine whether obstructive pancreatobiliary lesions increase the risk of duodenal erosions and ulcers, the duodenal mucosa of patients with these lesions were prospectively examined before endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). During the study period, 133 patients underwent ERCP for various reasons in the Department of Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital. One hundred and twenty-three patients were eligible for final analysis. Sixty-five patients with bilirubin > or = 35 mumol/L and alkaline phosphatase > or = 2.5 times normal levels along with radiological evidence of pancreatobiliary obstruction were included in the obstruction group. Fifty-eight patients who did not fulfil these criteria were used in the control group. Acid peptic lesions, which included erosions and ulcers, were seen in 16 patients of the obstruction group and four patients of the control group (P = 0.016, odds ratio (OR) = 4.41). Patients with carcinoma of the pancreas had a greater number of lesions than the rest of the obstruction group (P = 0.001, OR = 8.75). Individual variables like age, sex, serum bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, amylase levels, and duration of jaundice did not increase the vulnerability to acid peptic injury. The degree of obstruction multiplied by duration of jaundice (alkaline phosphatase x days) increased the susceptibility for duodenal disease (P = 0.047). From this data it was concluded that patients with obstructive pancreatobiliary lesions are more prone to acid peptic duodenal lesions.

Peptic ulcer pathophysiology: acid, bicarbonate, and mucosal function

The previously accepted role of gastric acid hypersecretion in peptic ulcer disease has been modified by studies showing no correlation between acid output and clinical outcome of ulcer disease, or between ulcer recurrence rate after vagotomy and preoperative acid secretion. At the same time, studies have been unable to demonstrate increased acidity in the duodenal bulb in patients with duodenal ulcer, and consequently more emphasis has been given to the mucosal protecting mechanisms. The existence of an active gastric and duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion creates a pH gradient from the luminal acid to near neutrality at the surface of the epithelial cells, thereby acting as an important mucosal defence mechanism. The regulation of bicarbonate secretion is a complex process related to motility and neural activity. Stimulation is by acid, PGE2, NO, VIP, cAMP, and mucosal protective agents. Bicarbonate secretion is inhibited by atropine, muscarinic antagonists, alpha-adrenoceptor agonists, indomethacin, bile acids, tobacco smoking, and probably also by infection by Helicobacter pylori. Apart from mucus and bicarbonate, the mucosal defence is supported by a hydrophobic epithelial lining, rapid cell removal and repair regulated by epidermal growth factor. Sufficient mucosal blood flow, including a normal acid/base balance, is important for subepithelial protection. In today's model of ulcer pathogenesis, gastric acid and H. pylori work in concert as aggressive factors, with the open question being: why does only a fraction of the infected population develop an ulcer?

Duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion in pigs is accompanied by compensatory changes in pancreatic and biliary HCO3- secretion

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of stimulation and inhibition of duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion on pancreatic and hepatic bicarbonate secretion in response to acid.

METHODS

The effect of inhibition (indomethacin) or stimulation (misoprostol) of duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion on pancreatic and biliary bicarbonate secretion in response to intraduodenal infusion of HCl or intravenous infusion of secretin was studied in anaesthetized pigs.

RESULTS

The hepatic and pancreatic response to exogenous secretin was not significantly altered by stimulation/inhibition of duodenal bicarbonate secretion. However, pancreatic and biliary bicarbonate secretion in response to duodenal acidification was significantly augmented by inhibition of duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion; conversely, it was reduced by stimulation of duodenal bicarbonate secretion. The increase in plasma secretin levels in response to duodenal acidification was reduced by stimulation and augmented by inhibition of duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion.

CONCLUSIONS

Duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion can serve as a modulator of both pancreatic and biliary bicarbonate secretion in response to luminal acidification, possibly through regulation of the release of secretin.