Stomach gastric mucus

The adsorptive capacity of gastric mucus has been considered by many authors to be of utmost importance in protecting the stomach against digestion. 

G18. Glass, G. B. J., Biologically active materials related to gastric mucus in the normal and in the diseased stomach of man. Gastroenterology 43, 310-325 (1962). 

H. pylori has a very narrow host and tissue range and has only been found in connection with gastric epithelium from humans and monkeys [48], In the H. pylori-infected stomach the majority of the bacteria are found within the gastric mucus layer, while approximately 20% of the H. pylori population are found attached to the gastric epithelial cells. 

Figure 3-11. Acidity reduction (clear bars) and calcium output (shaded bars) in cats stomachs containing different volumes and strengths of hydrochloric acid solutions in successive 15-minute periods before and after stimulation of mucus output by either acetic acid or ethanol. (From Grant R. Calcium in gastric mucus and regulation of gastric acidity. Am / Physiol 135 496-503, 1942.)...

Careful analysis of gastric contents revealed that under fasting conditions, the normal stomach contained mucus, a few bacilli, and some yeast cells, whereas in stagnant gastric contents, obtained from patients with gastric disease, bacilli, micrococci, yeast, and fungus could... 

Mucus is produced by the mucus neck cells and by the surface epithelial cells of the stomach wall. A thick layer of mucus adheres to the wall of the stomach, forming the gastric mucosal barrier. The function of this barrier is to protect the gastric mucosa from injury — specifically, from the corrosive actions of HCl and pepsin. Together with bicarbonate ion released into the lumen of the stomach, mucus neutralizes the acid and maintains the mucosal surface at a nearly neutral pH. 

Acetylsalicylic acid and related non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) selectively inhibit the cyclooxygenase activity of prostaglandin synthase [2] and consequently the synthesis of most eicosanoids. This explains their analgesic, antipyretic, and antirheumatic effects. Frequent side effects of NSAIDs also result from inhibition of eicosanoid synthesis. For example, they impair hemostasis because the synthesis of thromboxanes by thrombocytes is inhibited. In the stomach, NSAIDs increase HCl secretion and at the same time inhibit the formation of protective mucus. Long-term NSAID use can therefore damage the gastric mucosa. 

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