Gastric Acid and H. pylori
The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is the body’s entry point for nutrients, including fluids and electrolytes needed to sustain life. Disorders of the GI tract are often grouped into the following categories: alteration of digestive function, absorptive function, immunologic function, and neuroendocrine function.,
What are the stimuli to the multiple substances that control gastric acid secretion? What risks result from having strong acidity in the stomach?,
What is the pathophysiology of Helicobacter pylori?
Gastric acid secretion is regulated by a complex interaction of neural, hormonal, and paracrine pathways. The main stimuli include:
Neural Stimulation (Vagus Nerve – Acetylcholine)
- The vagus nerve (parasympathetic system) releases acetylcholine (ACh), which binds to muscarinic (M3) receptors on parietal cells, stimulating acid secretion.
- Stimulated during the cephalic phase (sight, smell, taste of food) and gastric phase (food in the stomach).
Hormonal Stimulation (Gastrin)
- Gastrin, secreted by G-cells in the antrum of the stomach, stimulates histamine release from enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells and directly acts on parietal cells to increase acid production.
- Stimulated by the presence of proteins and amino acids in the stomach.
Paracrine Stimulation (Histamine – H2 Receptors)
- Histamine, released by ECL cells, binds to H2 receptors on parietal cells, enhancing acid secretion…
Gastric acid secretion is regulated by a complex interaction of neural, hormonal, and paracrine pathways. The main stimuli include:
Neural Stimulation (Vagus Nerve – Acetylcholine)
- The vagus nerve (parasympathetic system) releases acetylcholine (ACh), which binds to muscarinic (M3) receptors on parietal cells, stimulating acid secretion.
- Stimulated during the cephalic phase (sight, smell, taste of food) and gastric phase (food in the stomach).
Hormonal Stimulation (Gastrin)
- Gastrin, secreted by G-cells in the antrum of the stomach, stimulates histamine release from enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells and directly acts on parietal cells to increase acid production.
- Stimulated by the presence of proteins and amino acids in the stomach.
Paracrine Stimulation (Histamine – H2 Receptors)
- Histamine, released by ECL cells, binds to H2 receptors on parietal cells, enhancing acid secretion…
