Hormonal Control of Gastroesophageal-Sphincter Strength

Abstract

Because of the possibility that the esophagus is protected during periods of increased gastric acidity by more forceful contraction of the lower esophageal sphincter, pressures were measured during routine gastric analyses. After betazole hydrochloride was given, sphincter pressure consistently increased, but this rise was not due to the simple presence of acid in the stomach, for sphincter pressure decreased consistently when 0.1 N hydrochloric acid was instilled into the stomach of normal subjects. Conversely, increases in sphincter pressure were noted when alkali was placed into the stomachs of the same subjects. These results suggested a possible role of endogenous gastrin in stimulation of the lower esophageal sphincter. Prompt, marked increases in sphincter pressure after subcutaneous injection of submaximal doses of gastrin-like pentapeptide indicate that regulation of lower esophageal sphincter pressure may be a physiologic action of gastrin.