The Effect of Pregnancy on Pepsinogen Secretion and its Possible Role in Protection of Peptic Ulcer Disease

Authors

  • M Mujahid Department of Gastroenterology Osmania General Hospital Hyderabad (A .P.), India
  • C M Habibullah Department of Gastroenterology Osmania General Hospital Hyderabad (A .P.), India
  • Nayana Joshi Department of Gastroenterology Osmania General Hospital Hyderabad (A .P.), India
  • Arshiya Nasreen Department of Gastroenterology Osmania General Hospital Hyderabad (A .P.), India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5915/21-2-13310

Keywords:

Pregnancy, pepsinogen, peptic ulcer

Abstract

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5915/21-2-13310

 

This study is aimed to see the effect of pregnancy on pepsinogen secretion and its possible protective role against ulceration. Fifty pregnant women without symptoms of peptic ulcer disease were studied for serum pepsinogen level. These levels were compared with those of a control group composed of age-matched, non-pregnant healthy women. An elevated level of serum pepsinogen was found during pregnancy. Fourteen percent of pregnant women had low levels of pepsinogen while 20% showed normal pepsinogen level, because they were associated with severe anemia. Regular feeding, good nutrition and emotional tranquility during pregnancy were favourable factors to reduce the chances of ulceration. Increased secretion of estrogen and progesterone, increased secretion of gastric mucus, bicarbonate and prostaglandins during pregnancy enhance cytoprotection against ulceration. Increased secretion of histaminase blocks or destroys the histamine action at the parietal cells which slows down acid secretion and helps to avoid ulcer formation.

Author Biographies

M Mujahid, Department of Gastroenterology Osmania General Hospital Hyderabad (A .P.), India

Department of Gastroenterology, Osmania General Hospital, Hyderabad (A .P.), India

Ph.D.

C M Habibullah, Department of Gastroenterology Osmania General Hospital Hyderabad (A .P.), India

Department of Gastroenterology, Osmania General Hospital, Hyderabad (A .P.), India

M.D., D.M.

Nayana Joshi, Department of Gastroenterology Osmania General Hospital Hyderabad (A .P.), India

Department of Gastroenterology

Osmania General Hospital

Hyderabad (A .P.), India

Ph.D.

Arshiya Nasreen, Department of Gastroenterology Osmania General Hospital Hyderabad (A .P.), India

Department of Gastroenterology

Osmania General Hospital

Hyderabad (A .P.), India

M.Sc.

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Published

1989-04-01

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 2 (1989)

Section

Original Articles

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