Modulation of salivary secretion by acid infusion in the distal esophagus in humans

Abstract To examine the relationship between esophageal acid exposure and development of salivation and heartburn, 15 healthy subjects underwent perfusion of the distal esophagus with varying concentrations of hydrochloric acid, different-osmolality saline solutions, and deionized water. In five study subjects, hydrochloric acid was infused in the body of the stomach only. During the study, timed samples of whole and parotid saliva were collected and analyzed for flow rate and bicarbonate concentration. Only hydrochloric acid concentrations of 20 mmol/L or greater (pH 1.8 or lower) induced a rapid (within 2 minutes) and significant ( P P