Hydrochloric acid - notes on HCl PDF

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notes on HCl...

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Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is a part of the digestive system. It is formed from the parietal cells of the stomach and is released into the lumen of the stomach. HCl isn’t formed within the parietal cell because it would destroy the cell. It’s actually formed from the H+ and Cl- that’s secreted from the surface of the parietal cells. HCl is responsible for the stomach’s low pH; keeping it between 1.5 and 2.5. It also has several other functions in the digestive processes of the stomach. It converts the inactive enzyme, pepsinogen, into active pepsin and provides the optimal pH environment for pepsin activity. HCl also kills most microorganisms that enter the stomach because they can’t survive the low pH. It contributes to the breakdown of plant cell walls and animal connective tissue. And lastly, HCl denatures proteins by causing them to unfold, which facilitates chemical digestion by enzymes.

The production of HCl from parietal cells occurs as follows. First, water, or H2O, within the parietal cells is split into H+ (hydrogen ion) and OH- (hydroxide ion). Then H+ is pumped into the lumen of the gastric gland by an H+/K+ pump. Next, OH- bonds with carbon dioxide (CO2) to form bicarbonate ion (HCO3-). Then, an exchange occurs as HCO3- is transported out of the parietal cell, and therefore enters the blood, while chloride ion (Cl-) is transported into the parietal cell. Cl- then enters the lumen of the gastric gland. Lastly, within the lumen of the gastric gland, Cl- combines with H+ to form HCl.

Vomiting is one thing that causes an increased formation of HCl. Because of this increase in HCl, there is an increased HCO3- in the blood, which raises blood pH. A deficiency in HCl within the stomach is called hypochlorhydria. This can have a very big impact on the body’s ability to properly digest and absorb nutrients. If this goes untreated, it can damage the GI system, cause infection, and a number of chronic health issues.

Bile is clearly a very important aspect of the digestive system. It is possible that there could be small holes anywhere within the bile ducts that could cause bile to leak into the abdominal cavity. Symptoms of a bile duct leak could include inflammation and infection in the abdominal cavity where the bile has leaked, severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and jaundice. In order to diagnose a bile duct leak, a comprehensive exam is done along with blood work. The doctor might also order a biliary study called a hepatobiliary (HIDA) scan, which shows the flow of bile from the liver into the small intestine. The treatment of this generally includes a procedure, called an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. During this, a temporary bile duct stent is placed....