MULTIPLE PATHWAYS CONTROLLING ACID-SECRETION

A simple balance exists between factors that promote ulcer disease (e. g., acid and pepsin secretion) and factors that protect the stomach fr om ulcer disease (e.g., mucosal defense mechanisms). These factors are regulated and control the integrity of the gastric mucosa. Some of th e newest discoveries in the area of regulation of acid secretion are r elated to the cellular localization of physiologically relevant recept ors for acid secretagogues and acid inhibitors. The ability to isolate and culture histamine-containing ECL cells and somatostatin-containin g ''D'' cells, and the ability to clone genes encoding for specific re ceptors has greatly enhanced our understanding of the physiological ro le and the regulation of various cell types within the gastric mucosa.