A hypothesis of couplet molecules and couplet cells in gastric function and an association with Helicobacter pylori

BACKGROUND Gastrin, from G-cells, and histamine, from enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells, are two of the hormones that regulate gastric activity. DISCUSSION It is proposed that the G-cells and the ECL cells are coupled by the couplet molecules gastrin and histamine and by a prior asymmetrical cell division. The gastrin (from G-cells) stimulates the ECL cells to produce and secrete histamine while, in a reciprocal way, this histamine (from ECL cells), stimulates the G-cells to produce and secrete gastrin. These molecules would also stimulate cell division - the gastrin would stimulate cell division of ECL cells while histamine would stimulate that of G-cells. A chemical complex of gastrin and histamine is postulated as is also the asymmetric cell divisions of precursor cells to produce the coupled G-cells and ECL cells. CONCLUSION There is sufficient evidence to support the feasibility of the model in general, but more direct experimental evidence is required to validate the model as applied here to gastric function.