Gastric secretion and parathyroid function in rats

¹ Medical Clinics, Peter Bent Brigham Hospital and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts

The gastric secretory activity was investigated in rats subjected to various states of parathyroid dysfunction. Acute and chronic hypoparathyroidism was induced by parathyroidectomy, and acute and chronic hyperparathyroidism by injections of parathyroid hormone. Chronic hypervitaminosis D was produced by injections of activated Ergosterol. The resulting changes in serum calcium and phosphorus levels were observed. At the end of each experimental period pyloric ligation was performed 4 hours prior to killing, the stomach mucosa examined macroscopically and the gastric juice analyzed. Mucosal congestion and ulceration were observed in rats with chronic hypoparathyroidism, chronic hyperparathyroidism and chronic hypervitaminosis D, but not in normal animals or in those with acute hypo- or hyperparathyroidism. Analysis of the gastric juice revealed no statistically significant differences from the normal in respect to volume, pH, hydrochloric acid, sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride or pepsin content. The development of gastric mucosal congestion and ulceration in various states of parathyroid dysfunction suggests that the apparent ulcerogenic effects are mediated through influences other than the gastric acid, pepsin and electrolyte secretion.