Profile of gastric potential difference in man. Effects of aspirin, alcohol, bile, and endogenous acid.

Abstract

Measurement of transmural potential difference (PD) of the human stomach using a reference electrode placed in a peripheral vein showed that PD was higher in the body of the stomach than in the antrum. Stimulation of gastric acid secretion by betazole caused only a trivial and temporary decrease in PD below the basal value, the decrease occurring shortly after the stimulus was injected and prior to the onset of peak acid output. The administration of acetylsalicylic acid, alcohol, or duodenal contents rich in bile and pancreatic enzymes all caused rapid and profound reductions in gastric PD. Maintenance of gastric PD may be a sensitive indicator of mucosal integrity in man, since changes in PD occur with agents shown to cause damage by other methods in other species.