[Sensitivity of the parietal cell to the effect of pentagastrin in men living at high altitude]. / Sensibilidad de la célula parietal a la acción de la pentagastrina en el hombre de altura.

This study evaluates the response of the gastric mucosa to pentagastrin in a group (HAG) of 17 andean subjects compared to a similar group of 17 subjects at sea level (LAG). Both groups had normal fundic, body and antrum mucosa as demonstrated by endoscopic and histological means. Each group underwent two assays, the first one with a dose of 6 micrograms/kg and 72 hours later, the second administration with 3 micrograms/kg. In the HAG the acid response expressed as concentration and output was significantly greater with 6 micrograms/kg that with 3 micrograms/kg. In the LAG the difference was not statistically significant. The ANOVA analysis showed, for both determinations, free and total acidity, a different response pattern between the HAG and LAG for both doses. The response of both groups to the 3 micrograms/kg reveals a lesser sensitivity to pentagastrin of the parietal cell in HAG.