Reduced Gastric Acid Output in Cirrhosis: Quantitation and Relationships.

EDITORIAL SYNOPSIS Basal and maximal (post-histamine) acid outputs were significantly reduced in patients with cirrhosis. A subnormal secretory response to stimulation with peptone was also found. Gastric hyposecretion was not related to the aetiology or severity of the hepatic disease nor to the extent or presence of a portal-collateral circulation. Increased gastric production of ammonia in cirrhosis did not affect acid output significantly, and the reduced response to histamine was not due to increased serum histaminase activity. Since a significant relationship was demonstrated between hypokalaemia and hyposecretion, and since the output of gastric juice appeared more greatly reduced in volume than acid concentrations, the possibility of a relationship between gastric hyposecretion and disorders of water and electrolyte metabolism is considered.