Gastric acid secretion following renal transplantation.

Gastric acid secretion studies were performed in 10 patients on regular dialysis and again following transplantation. While on dialysis, the acid output was high, with mean peak values after pentagastrin of 37-2 mEq/h in males and 26-3 mEq/h in females. These compared with values in normal subjects of 21-6 mEq/h in males and 12-3 mEq/h in females. Following transplantation continuous steroid therapy was given. Repear gastric acid secretion studies showed no significant change, with values of 37-1 mEq/h in males and 24-6 mEq/h in females. The high incidence of gastro-intestinal haemorrhage and perforation following transplantation is probably due mainly to steroid therapy, but the ulcerogenic effect of steroids would not seem to be mediated by increased gastric acid secretion.