Gastric acid secretion and pepsin activity

Gastric acid secretion and pepsin activity represent the primary digestive functions of the stomach, involving the production of hydrochloric acid by parietal cells and the proteolytic enzyme pepsin by chief cells (StatPearls: Physiology, Gastric Secretion, 2023). This process is tightly regulated by hormonal (gastrin), paracrine (histamine), and neural (acetylcholine) pathways to facilitate protein digestion and eliminate ingested pathogens (NIH: Regulation of Gastric Acid Secretion, 2014). Dysregulation of these processes, particularly excessive acid production or impaired mucosal protection, is central to the pathogenesis of acid-peptic disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and peptic ulcer disease (Mayo Clinic: Peptic Ulcer, 2023). While not a single molecular target, this physiological endpoint is the focus of various therapeutic interventions, including proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and H2-receptor antagonists, which aim to reduce acidity and mitigate mucosal damage (StatPearls: Physiology, Gastric Secretion, 2023). Suppression of these activities is a standard clinical approach for managing hypersecretory states and promoting the healing of gastric and duodenal lesions.

Other names

Gastric acid productionPeptic activityGastric juice secretionGastric acid and pepsin secretion

Inhibition of the gastric H+/K+-ATPase (proton pump), antagonism of histamine H2 receptors, or chemical neutralization of secreted hydrochloric acid (StatPearls: Physiology, Gastric Secretion, 2023; NIH: Regulation of Gastric Acid Secretion, 2014).