The functional and morphological effects of duodeno-gastric reflux and their relation to peptic ulceration.

The functional and morphological effects of duodeno-gastric reflux have been studied in the dog. Reflux causes hypersecretion of acid to pentagastrin and a hypergastrinaemic response to a standard meal, associated with antral gland hyperplasia. It is suggested that these changes are mediated by suppressed somatostatin activity, and that they may play an important part in the pathogenesis of peptic ulceration.