Aspirin- and taurocholate-induced metabolic damage in mammalian gastric mucosa in vitro

Abstract

To clarify the mechanism of initiation of the H ion backdiffusion, the effects of aspirin and taurocholate, 2 representative gastric mucosal barrier breakers, on the potential difference, secretory activity, energy metabolism and the H ion permeability of guinea pig gastric mucosa was studied in vitro. The ATP content and energy charge of the gastric mucosa showed a statistically significant reduction when the potential difference decreased to 1/2 of that before addition. The mucosal acid secretion was reduced by addition of the barrier breaker. The H ion backdiffusion, as measured by titrating the acid appearing in the serosal solution, became detectable when the potential difference decreased to 1/4 of that before addition. The primary action of gastric mucosal barrier breakers is to damage the energy metabolism of the mucosal cells; the H ion backdiffusion takes place as the result of cellular death caused by the impairment of energy metabolism.