[Proximo-distal gradient of the paramucosal pH in the digestive tract of normal rats and at different times after bilateral truncal vagotomy].

Membrane pH (mpH) of the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, caecum and rectum was measured in intact and vagotomized rats 1--220 days after operation. It was ascertained that in the digestive canal of control and experimental rats there is a proximodistal gradient of mpH that is marked by two local pH drops: gastroduodenal and ileocaecal. Vagotomy results in changes of the mpH-relief of the gastrointestinal tract. The most pronounced changes were detected in the early period (days 1 and 7) after operation. After 14 days there sets in a temporary and relative normalization of the mpH gradient of the digestive canal. In the later periods (60--220 days) after vagotomy the changes in mpH could be seen only in the stomach.