The effect of gastric distension on the secretion of acid and pepsin by patients with duodenal ulcer.

Twentyfour patients with active duodenal ulceration were subjected to gastric distension with a balloon, in an attempt to assess the "neural tone" affecting the parietal and chief cells of the stomach. Distension stimulated gastric secretion in a manner similar to, but weaker than, pentagastrin. No evidence was found that distension provides a specific "neural" stimulus to the gastric secretion of acid or pepsin in man.