[Effect of drugs with acid-neutralizing and acid-suppressive effect on parietal cell function and on gastrin and somatostatin cell density of the stomach]

Abstract

4 weeks treatment of healthy volunteers with Magaldrate (Al-Mg-containing antacid) is followed by an increase of basal serum gastrin, and a decrease of the antral G-cell density. Gastric acid secretion remained unchanged. In contrast, during maintenance therapy of duodenal ulcer patients with 400 mg cimetidine an increase of the postprandial gastrin output can be observed after 12 months treatment, whereas basal serum gastrin, antral G-cell density and gastric acid secretion remained unchanged. These results suggest that the effects observed during antacid treatment can not be related to an increase in gastric pH and may rather reflect a pH independent direct action of Magaldrate on the antral G-cell.