Question

(5 pts) Discuss how the ECL cells of the gastric mucosa function as a final common pathway for the neural, endocrine and paracrine regulation of gastric acid secretion. What does this imply about the effectiveness of drug intervention to block excessive acid secretion?

Answer 1

ECL cells are also called as enterochromaffin like cells and deep down in the gastric mucosa near to parietal cells and aid in the production of gastric acid.

The cells are stimulated by gastrin hormone released from pitutary after the G cells of the pitutary are stimulated by gatrin release hormone.

ECL cells themselves do not produce the acid instead they produce histamine which produces the acids subsequently.

The excessive acid production is usually inhibited by 5-HT1 inhibitors thus preventing the ECL cells to aid in production of the acid.