Biomaterial Database

Gastric mucus, bicarbonate and pH gradients in mucosal protection. 1987

L A Turnberg

The evidence is reviewed that mucus has the capacity to delay diffusion of acid across it. It may provide an environment adjacent to the gastric mucosa in which the relatively small amounts of bicarbonate secreted by the epithelium are able to nullify acid diffusing towards the mucosa. This combination creates a near-neutral zone immediately adjacent to the epithelium. Evidence in favour of this hypothesis is supports the idea that mucus and bicarbonate may together afford a first-line defence against luminal acid and pepsin, but equally it seems likely that this "barrier" can provide only part of the complete picture of mucosal protection.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009093	Mucus	The viscous secretion of mucous membranes. It contains mucin, white blood cells, water, inorganic salts, and exfoliated cells.
D004847	Epithelial Cells	Cells that line the inner and outer surfaces of the body by forming cellular layers (EPITHELIUM) or masses. Epithelial cells lining the SKIN; the MOUTH; the NOSE; and the ANAL CANAL derive from ectoderm; those lining the RESPIRATORY SYSTEM and the DIGESTIVE SYSTEM derive from endoderm; others (CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM and LYMPHATIC SYSTEM) derive from mesoderm. Epithelial cells can be classified mainly by cell shape and function into squamous, glandular and transitional epithelial cells.	Adenomatous Epithelial Cells,Columnar Glandular Epithelial Cells,Cuboidal Glandular Epithelial Cells,Glandular Epithelial Cells,Squamous Cells,Squamous Epithelial Cells,Transitional Epithelial Cells,Adenomatous Epithelial Cell,Cell, Adenomatous Epithelial,Cell, Epithelial,Cell, Glandular Epithelial,Cell, Squamous,Cell, Squamous Epithelial,Cell, Transitional Epithelial,Cells, Adenomatous Epithelial,Cells, Epithelial,Cells, Glandular Epithelial,Cells, Squamous,Cells, Squamous Epithelial,Cells, Transitional Epithelial,Epithelial Cell,Epithelial Cell, Adenomatous,Epithelial Cell, Glandular,Epithelial Cell, Squamous,Epithelial Cell, Transitional,Epithelial Cells, Adenomatous,Epithelial Cells, Glandular,Epithelial Cells, Squamous,Epithelial Cells, Transitional,Glandular Epithelial Cell,Squamous Cell,Squamous Epithelial Cell,Transitional Epithelial Cell
D004848	Epithelium	The layers of EPITHELIAL CELLS which cover the inner and outer surfaces of the cutaneous, mucus, and serous tissues and glands of the body.	Mesothelium,Epithelial Tissue,Mesothelial Tissue,Epithelial Tissues,Mesothelial Tissues,Tissue, Epithelial,Tissue, Mesothelial,Tissues, Epithelial,Tissues, Mesothelial
D005745	Gastric Acidity Determination	Gastric analysis for determination of free acid or total acid.	Acidity Determination, Gastric,Acidity Determinations, Gastric,Determination, Gastric Acidity,Determinations, Gastric Acidity,Gastric Acidity Determinations
D005753	Gastric Mucosa	Lining of the STOMACH, consisting of an inner EPITHELIUM, a middle LAMINA PROPRIA, and an outer MUSCULARIS MUCOSAE. The surface cells produce MUCUS that protects the stomach from attack by digestive acid and enzymes. When the epithelium invaginates into the LAMINA PROPRIA at various region of the stomach (CARDIA; GASTRIC FUNDUS; and PYLORUS), different tubular gastric glands are formed. These glands consist of cells that secrete mucus, enzymes, HYDROCHLORIC ACID, or hormones.	Cardiac Glands,Gastric Glands,Pyloric Glands,Cardiac Gland,Gastric Gland,Gastric Mucosas,Gland, Cardiac,Gland, Gastric,Gland, Pyloric,Glands, Cardiac,Glands, Gastric,Glands, Pyloric,Mucosa, Gastric,Mucosas, Gastric,Pyloric Gland
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006863	Hydrogen-Ion Concentration	The normality of a solution with respect to HYDROGEN ions; H+. It is related to acidity measurements in most cases by pH	pH,Concentration, Hydrogen-Ion,Concentrations, Hydrogen-Ion,Hydrogen Ion Concentration,Hydrogen-Ion Concentrations
D001639	Bicarbonates	Inorganic salts that contain the -HCO3 radical. They are an important factor in determining the pH of the blood and the concentration of bicarbonate ions is regulated by the kidney. Levels in the blood are an index of the alkali reserve or buffering capacity.	Bicarbonate,Bicarbonate Ions,Hydrogen Carbonates,Bicarbonate Ion,Carbonic Acid Ions,Hydrogen Carbonate,Carbonate, Hydrogen,Carbonates, Hydrogen,Ion, Bicarbonate,Ions, Bicarbonate,Ions, Carbonic Acid