Gastric compliance, sensation, and the relaxation response to a nitric oxide donor in health and reflux oesophagitis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The gastric fundus affects afferent control of lower oesophageal sphincter function. Nitric oxide is an important relaxant of the fundus. We postulated that gastric distensibility, compliance and nitric oxide sensitivity may be altered in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). METHODS: 9 patients with erosive oesophagitis (6 males; median age 55 years) and 16 healthy controls (9 males; median age 36 years) were studied fasting with a gastric barostat. Minimal distending pressure (MDP) and gastric compliance (Deltav/Deltap) were determined by increasing intrabag pressure in 2-mm Hg increments. The pressures required to produce initial sensation and maximum to..