Effect of antrectomy on Capsicum annuum induced gastric acid secretion in rats

Abstract

Background: The induction of gastric acid secretion by Capsicum annuum is attributed to its active principle, capsaicin, whose effect on the parietal cell is indirect. Capsaicin acutely stimulates sensory neurons to liberate acetylcholine which can release histamine from the enterochromaffin like cells. It also releases gastrin from the antral G cells.

Aim: To establish the effectiveness of antrectomy in reducing gastric acid secretion.

Methods: Maximum acid output (MAO) in two groups of eight rats comprising of males and females was determined. The first group was   the control group  while the second had antrectomy. The rats were fasted overnight with liberal access to water. They were anaesthetized with 25% w/v ethyl carbonate (urethane) 0.6 ml/100 g  body weight, and then surgically prepared. Determination of gastric acid

secretion was effected by the continuous perfusion technique of Gosh and Schild. Ranitidine 0.5 mg/ml was given intravenously as a positive control agent.

Results:  Ranitidine and antrectomy, each alone inhibited the MAO by 67.6% and 37.8% respectively. The combined inhibitory effect of antrectomy and ranitidine on MAO was 86.5%. Antrectomy which removes most of the G - cells in the excised antral tissue significantly (p <0.001) inhibited  gastric acid secretion.

Conclusion: This study concludes that Capsicum annuum consumption in large quantities may be harmful. Ranitidine and antrectomy, each alone inhibited the MAO by 67.6% and 37.8% respectively. The combined inhibitory effect of antrectomy and ranitidine on MAO was 86.5%.

Keywords: Capsicum annuum, Antrectomy, Gastric acid, Secretion