Defective 'lines of defence' in gastric ulceration
Domschke, W.; Domschke, S.; Demling, L.
Acta Hepato-Gastroenterologica 24(3): 129-130
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-970X PMID: 18868 Document Number: 123955
N-acetylneuraminic acid (NANA) has been shown to be an essential constituent of acid glycoproteins in human gastric juice. The reduced NANA content of gastric juice in gastric ulcer patients indicates an impaired biological function of mucus which may contribute to the pathogenesis of gastric ulcers. The mucus layer provided by the epithelial cells of the stomach has been postulated as the 1st line of defense. As 2nd line of defense, the healthy epithelial cells themselves have been thought to play a part. The rate of exfoliation of epithelial cells from gastric mucosa was increased in gastric ulcer patients. The longer the lifespan of the cell, the more mucous produced. Treatment with carbenoxolone sodium increases the lifespan of the rapidly proliferating mucosal cells leading to decreased extrusion of gastric epithelial cells and enhanced synthesis and secretion of gastric mucus. Following carbenoxolone, an almost normal relationship between gastric mucus production and gastric epithelial cell loss was attained. Before therapy, high cell turnover had prevented cell maturation resulting in less mucus production.