Pathophysiology of Gastric Acid Stimulation and Production

Gastrointestinal Tract
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Gastric acid is produced by the parietal cells present on the walls of the stomach. A region called secretory canaliculus in these cells is known for its acidic environment, and its pH is said to be 8. It is the site where gastric juice is secreted into the lumen (Hammer & McPhee, 2014). This secretion of the acid into the lumen is the result of messages coming from the neurocrine, hormonal and paracrine inputs.
The G cells in the pyloric mucosa of the stomach are responsible for producing gastrin, which is the core hormonal trigger for the production of gastric acid. A variety of inputs stimulates the parietal cells in order to secrete different ions especially hydrogen ions. These ions flow into the gastric lumen and vary in functions. It should be noticed that the core stimulus for the production and secretion of gastric acid is Histamine 2 receptor. There is a point in which the G cells release a significant quantity of gastrin in response, which eventually binds to the CCK2 receptors (Parietal cells and ECL). The combination of the parietal cells and gastrin leads to the discharge of intracellular calcium. After this, the process of activating proton pump begins.
A significant number of changes take place during the production and stimulation of gastric acid, as well as the development of PUD, GERD and different gastritis diseases (Huether & McCance, 2017). For instance, when reflux of acid from the stomach is released into the esophagus, the
Gastro-esophageal reflux disease gets developed. Similarly, when the pressure of LES is lower than the pressure of intragastric like LES hypotension, then GERD takes place. It mostly occurs when the acidity content in the stomach is higher than the normal range and when the sphincter is not performing its functions properly.