Etiopathogenesis of Gastric Ulcer in Liver Cirrhosis

Liver cirrhosis is frequently complicated by gastric ulceration and many studies have been published regarding the mechanism of this association. The major factors possibly responsible include the influence of hepatic dysfunction on the acid and pepsin contents of gastric juice, insufficient hepatic inactivation of gastric juice secretion stimulating factors, reduced resistance of the gastric mucosa due to malnutrition, disturbed gastric mucosal circulation due to elevated portal pressure, and interactions between gastrointestinal hormones. The exact mechanism is still unclear. In a previous paper, we reported on the high incidence of gastric ulcer in patients with liver cirrhosis" . This time the relationship between liver cirrhosis and gastric ulceration was investigated by determining the kinetics of gastric juice secretion, the levels of gastrointestinal hormones, the condition of the gastric mucosa, the site of gastric ulceration, and the presence of esophageal varices. In addition, histopathological changes of gastric wall vessels, particularly arteriosclerosis and venosclerosis of the gastric wall, were investigated in autopsy cases.