Stomach, Liver, Gall bladder and Pancreas Flashcards
(199 cards)
Functions of the stomach (nine)
Store and mix food Dissolve and continue digestion Regulate emptying into duodenum Kill microbes Secrete proteases Secrete intrinsic factor Activate proteases Lubrication Mucosal protection
Key cell types in stomach
Mucous cells
Parietal cells
Chief cells
Enteroendocrine cells
Which cells secrete stomach acid? What is this acid?
Parietal cells
HCl
Is secretion of HCl energy-dependent? Why?
Yes - H+ ions need to be pumped into the lumen of the stomach against a concentration gradient
Which nervous system controls this secretion?
Parasympathetic
Which cells produce HCl?
parietal cells of the stomach
Chemical reactions in parietal cells
To begin with, water and co2 combine with parietal cell cytoplasm to produce carbonic acid (H2CO3). Carbonic acid then spontaneously dissociates into a hydrogen ion and bicarbonate ion HCO3-.
What happens to the H+ ions produced?
The hydrogen ion that is formed is transported into the stomach lumen via the hydrogen-potassium ATPase ion pump. This pump uses ATP as an energy source to exchange potassium ions into the parietal cells of the stomach with hydrogen ions.
What happens to the bicarbonate ion produced? What is the overall result of the H+ and HCO3- ion movement?
The bicarbonate ion is transported out of the cell into the blood via a transporter protein called anion exchanger which transports the bicarbonate ion out of the cell in exchange for a chloride ion. This chloride ion is then transported into the stomach lumen via a chloride channel.
This results in both hydrogen and chloride ions being present within the stomach lumen. Their opposing charges leads to them associating with each other to form hydrochloric acid (HCl).
Gastric acid secretion regulation; turning it ON (cephalic phase)
Innervation comes from vagal efferent nerve fibres of the parasympathetic nervous system.
Sight, smell, taste of food and chewing stimulates release of acetylcholine. ACh acts directly on parietal cells and triggers the release of gastrin and histamine. The net effect is increased acid production.
Gastric acid secretion regulation; turning it ON (gastric phase)
Gastric distension, presence of peptides and amino acids leads to gastrin release. Gastrin acts directly on parietal cells and triggers the release of histamine which also acts directly on parietal cells. The net effect is increased acid production.
Gastric acid secretion regulation; turning it ON (protein in the stomach )
Proteins in the lumen are a direct stimulus for gastrin release. The proteins act as a buffer taking up hydrogen ions and causing pH to rise.
This leads to decreased secretion of somatostatin, which leads to more parietal cell activity because of a lack of inhibition.
Gastric acid secretion regulation; turning it OFF (gastric phase)
Low lumin pH due to high concentration of H+ ions directly inhibits gastrin secretion and indirectly inhibits histamine release as a result.
Somatostatin release is stimulated which inhibits parietal cell activity.
Gastric acid secretion regulation; turning it OFF (intestinal phase)
In the duodenum, duodenal distension, low luminal pH, hypertonic luminal contents and the presence of amino acids and fatty acids triggers the release of enterogastrones secretin and cholecystokinin.
Effect of secretin
Inhibits gastrin release
Promotes somatostain release
Nervous system in the gastrointestinal tract
Enteric nervous system
Ulcer definition
A breach in a mucosal surface
Causes of peptic ulcers
Heliobacter pylori infection
NSAIDs
Chemical irritants (alcohol, bile salts, dietary factors)
Gastrinoma
What is a gastrinoma?
A gastrinoma is a tumor derived from G cells in the duodenum, pancreas or less commonly the stomach, that secretes the protein gastrin. There is hypersecretion of HCl acid into the duodenum, which causes the ulcers.
Gastric mucosa defences
- Secretion of alkaline mucus (containing bicarbonate) which helps to resist the action of hydrochloric acid
- Tight junctions between epithelial cells to prevent the passage of HCl and proteases between the cells to digest the underlying tissue
- A population of stem cells deep in the gastric pits which divide to replace damaged cells regularly
- A number of feedback loops to control the production and activation of proteases and HCl etc.
What do helicobacter pylori secrete? What does the secreted substance do? Why does this cause ulcers?
urease
splits urea into co2 and ammonia
Ammonia forms ammonium when combined with hydrogen ions. Ammonium damages gastric epithelium and an inflammatory response can further damage epithelium, leading to reduced mucosal defence.
What does NSAID stand for? Why do NSAIDs cause ulcers?
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
NSAIDs inhibit cyclo-oxygenase 1, which is needed for prostaglandin synthesis. Prostaglandin stimulates mucus secretion. As a results when its production is inhibited, there is reduced mucosal defence.
NSAIDs ulcers: treatment
- Reduce acid secretion with protein pump inhibitors or H2-receptor antagonists
- Protein pump inhibitors:
- Omeprazole
- Lansoprazole
- Esomeprazole
- H2-receptor antagonists
- Cimetidine (taken off the market right now)
- Ranitidine
- Protein pump inhibitors:
Which cells produce pepsinogen?
Chief cells