Ulcer perforation rate and pepsin. A study of the perfused cat esophagus

R. L. Goodale, T. D. Dressel, J. W. Borner, O. Cobbin, S. Etani and O. H. Wangensteen

The perforation rate of the cat esophagus varies as the log of the pepsin concentration when the esophagus is perfused in vivo with canine gastric juice at constant acidity, temperature, and pressure. The esophagus is extremely sensitive to gastric juice, frequently perforating before 60 minutes of perfusion. The maximal response is achieved with pepsin concentrations of 0.3 mg/mL, although the canine stomach is capable of concentrations as high as 1.3 mg/mL after vagal stimulation with 2 deoxy-D-glucose. These findings emphasize that peptic activity contributes significantly to initial acute esophageal ulceration induced by gastric secretions.