Duodenal ulcer healing and acid secretory responses to modified sham feeding and pentagastrin stimulation

SUMMARY The effect of duodenal ulcer healing on the acid secretory responses to modified sham feeding and maximal pentagastrin stimulation has been studied in 17 patients treated successfully with ranitidine (n= 9) and sucralfate (n= 8). Parietal cell sensitivity was calculated as the ratio of the modified sham feeding response to the peak pentagastrin response, expressed as a percentage. Ulcer healing after sucralfate therapy resulted in significant falls in modified sham feeding stimulated acid output (P < 0.02), from 9.4 (1.8–17.0) (median + range) to 3.7 (0.2–9.4) mmol/h; in peak acid output (P < 0.05) from 42.8 (23.0–61.4) to 27.7 (7.2–51.0)mmol/h; and in the parietal cell sensitivity (P < 0.05) from 19.2 (4.4–42.6) to 14.3 (2.8–19.7)%. No significant falls in any of these parameters were noted following ulcer healing with ranitidine. Duodenal ulcer healing with sucralfate results in decreased acid secretory responses to vagal and pentagastrin stimulation.