Little is known about the effect of age on gastric alkaline and nonparietal secretion. Using a previously validated technique, we prospectively measured gastric HCO–3 and nonparietal volume secretion, as well as secretion of H+, Na+, K+, and Cl–, in 114 healthy human beings over a wide age range (18–82 years). Each subject had normal oxyntic mucosal histology, was on no medication known to affect gastric secretion, and was studied under both basal (fasting) conditions and following stimulation of gastric H+ secretion by pentagastrin. There was a significant (p < 0.05) decline in gastric HCO–3, Na+, and nonparietal fluid secretion with advancing age, but not in H+, K+, Cl– or parietal fluid secretion. As a consequence of reduced gastric HCO–3 and nonparietal fluid secretion, mean H+ concentrations in gastric juice increased significantly with advancing age. Thus, in healthy subjects with normal gastric histology, advancing age was associated with a significant decline in gastric HCO–3, Na+, and nonparietal fluid secretion, resulting in an increase in gastric acidity (H+ concentration).

Keywords:
Bicarbonate (HCO–3) secretion, Nonparietal fluid secretion, Acid (H+) secretion, Sodium (Na+) secretion, Potassium (K+) secretion, Chloride (Cl–) secretion
This content is only available via PDF.
1998
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.