THE RAMADAN AND ITS INCIDENCE ON GASTRIC-SECRETION

The influence of the Ramadan on the gastric secretion has been assessed in 13 volunteers. Their basal and pentagastrin-stimulated secretion has been collected before, during and one month after the Ramadan. Gastric activity, pepsin activity, sialic acid bound to glycoprotein, choline and gastrinaemia have been measured. During Ramadan, acid secretion was increased (+ 159 %; P = 0.02) and it recovered the pre-Ramadan level, one month later. Pepsin secretion was also increased during the Ramadan (+ 133 %; P = 0.05) and it was significantly reduced after Ramadan. The secretion before the Ramadan was related to vagal hypertony, decreased during Ramadan and was subtituted by a gastrinic stimulation after the Ramadan. Mucolysis and gastrinaemia were not modified and no duodenogastric reflux was observed during and after the Ramadan. The Ramadan induces an increase of acid and pepsin secretion. This increase was reversed when Ramadan stopped. These gastric secretion modifications are likely involved in the increase of dyspeptic symptoms observed during the Ramadan.