Modulation of acid secretion in common bile duct ligation-related gastropathy in Wistar rats

Background: Portal hypertensive gastropathy is associated with fundic gland atrophy, resulting in a decrease in chief and parietal cells, and diminished acid secretion. Methods: Acid secretion by isolated parietal cells was measured (acridine orange retention), along with the levels of various second messengers (intracellular Ca2+, cyclic adenosine monophosphate and protein kinase Q in the common bile duct, ligated portal hypertensive rats and compared with sham-operated controls. Results: There was a significant decrease in the response of isolated parietal cells to the secretagogues histamine and carbachol. This resulted in the blunted acid secretion in the common bile duct ligated group. In addition, all the second messengers studied were significantly decreased as compared with the sham-operated controls. Conclusion: These results suggest that the blunted acid secretory response in the portal hypertensive rat is caused by an alteration in the intracellular signal transduction mechanism. (C) 2001 Blackwell Science Asia Pty Ltd.