Gastric emptying of ingested acid and its effects on plasma gastrin and secretin in duodenal ulcer subjects.

Abnormal acid production or handling is thought to be involved in duodenal ulceration. Gastric emptying of 25 mmol hydrochloric acid (250 ml 0.1 M solution) was studied by using an isotopic method in control and ulcer subjects. Plasma gastrin and secretin levels were simultaneously measured. Gastric emptying was significantly faster in ulcer subjects using several parameters. Plasma gastrin levels were suppressed in both groups, with equivocal differences between them. Mean plasma secretin levels showed no significant elevation in controls and at only one point in ulcer subjects. Mean elevation in plasma secretin levels during intermediate phase of gastric emptying (T30-70) correlated with rate of acid loss from stomach in both groups. Regression lines were significantly different in position, however, and indicated a higher threshold for secretin release in ulcer subjects. The significance of this in the pathogenesis of duodenal ulcer is discussed.