Assignment Task:
Recent milestones in the understanding of gastric acid secretion and treatment of acid-peptic disorders include the discovery of histamine H2-receptors and development of histamine H2-receptor antagonists, identification of H+K+-ATPase as the parietal cell proton pump and development of proton pump inhibitors, and identification of Helicobacter pylori as the major cause of duodenal ulcer and development of effective eradication regimens (Schubert et al. 2008). The stimuli for acid secretions are as follows, Acetylcholine, Gastrin and Histamine. When this acid secretion combines food can digest but also it can create different issues, for example, it can facilitate digestion of protein as well as the absorption of iron, calcium, and vitamin B12. When we take medication is these secretions are necessary for absorption of certain drugs however taking too much medicine or eating the wrong foods can lead to acid-related clinical conditions. Parietal cells secrete hydrochloric acid at a concentration of approximately 160 mmol/L or pH 0.8. Acid is thought to gain access to the lumen via channels in the mucus layer created by the relatively high intraglandular hydrostatic pressures generated during secretion, approximately 17 mm Hg (Johnsson et al, 2001). The acids facilitate the ingestion of protein and absorption of iron, calcium, and vitamin B-12 as well as prevent bacterial overgrowth and enteric infection. However, if the acid levels and pepsin increase a risk of ulcers can occur. The principal of acid secretion is histamine released from ECL cells (paracrine); gastrin, released from G cells (hormonal); and ACh, released from postganglionic enteric neurons (neurocrine) (Schubert et al. 2008).
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) attack the lining that protects your stomach. Many people have it and won't have any issues with ulcers until the time is right for one to start causing issues. As the host starts showing symptoms of an ulcer, the H pylori make an enzyme called urease that makes the acid in the stomach less acidic while weakening the stomach lining, furthermore the host is at a greater risk of being hurt by acid and pepsin, strong digestive fluids. That can lead to sores or ulcers in your stomach or duodenum (2024). Helicobacter pylori is the first formally recognized bacterial carcinogen and is one of the most successful human pathogens, as over half of the world's population is colonized with this gram-negative bacterium. Unless treated, colonization usually persists lifelong. H. pylori infection represents a key factor in the etiology of various gastrointestinal diseases, ranging from chronic active gastritis without clinical symptoms to peptic ulceration, gastric adenocarcinoma, and gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (Kusters et al., 2006). In conclusion H pylori is a bacteria that is found in all of us how it develops is how it is going to affect us, by taking simple precautions such as eating food that is cleaned thoroughly and cooked in a safe way and by drinking clean and potable water from a sanitary source that will not have bacteria. Lastly, good hand hygiene is the best way to effectively protect ourselves from these bacteria.
References:
Schubert, Mitchell L. et al (2008). Control of Gastric Acid Secretion in Health and Disease Gastroenterology, Volume 134, Issue 7, 1842 - 1860
Johansson, M. · Synnerstad, I. · Holm, L. (2001). Acid transport through channels in the mucous layer of rat stomach Gastroenterology; 119:1297-1304
Helicobacter pylori. Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2024, May 13).
Kusters, J. G., van Vliet, A. H. M., & Kuipers, E. J. (2006, July). Pathogenesis of helicobacter pylori infection. Clinical microbiology reviews.