Relationship between fluctuations of pH and pressure in the human stomach and duodenum.

The normal patterns of pressure activity in the antrum, pylorus and duodenum and associated pH changes were monitored in 9 healthy volunteers under fasted conditions and after ingestion of 300 ml of chocolate milk. The manometric assembly incorporated three side holes in the antrum, four side holes in the duodenum, a sleeve sensor positioned across the pylorus, and pH electrodes situated in the terminal antrum and proximal duodenum. The most common motor pattern recorded under fasting conditions consisted of regular co-ordinated contractions, most of which involved the antrum and duodenum, showed evidence of propagation and was associated with transient decreases in duodenal pH and transient increases in antral pH. Ingestion of milk changes the motor pattern to one that was composed of pressure waves which were confined to the pylorus with few or no pressure waves in the terminal antrum or proximal duodenum. Isolated pyloric pressure waves were gradually replaced by propagated antropyloroduodenal contractions which were associated with transient decreases in duodenal pH. Isolated pyloric pressure waves were not associated with episodes of duodenal acidification under fed conditions.