Pepsin output after disruption of the human gastric mucosal barrier by taurocholic acid.

Test solutions containing 10 mM taurocholic acid in 160 mM HCl were instilled into the stomachs of healthy volunteers to disrupt the gastric mucosal barrier. Although significant back diffusion of hydrogen ions and exsorption of sodium ions occurred, there was no significant increase in pepsin output compared to control studies with 160 mm HCl alone. Our data suggest that 160 mM HCl produces a many-fold increase in basal pepsin output. In the innervated stomach of man disruption of the gastric mucosal barrier by taurocholic acid in acid solution is not accompanied by increased pepsin secretion compared to that produced by 160 mM HCl alone.