Control of Gastric Acid Secretion in Health and Disease

Recent milestones in the understanding of gastric acid secretion and treatment of acid-peptic disorders include the (1) discovery of histamine H2-receptors and development of histamine H2-receptor antagonists, (2) identification of H+K+-ATPase as the parietal cell proton pump and development of proton pump inhibitors, and (3) identification of Helicobacter pylori as the major cause of duodenal ulcer and development of effective eradication regimens. This review emphasizes the importance and relevance of gastric acid secretion and its regulation in health and disease. We review the physiology and pathophysiology of acid secretion as well as evidence regarding its inhibition in the management of acid-related clinical conditions.