A review: The agents and actions of sympathetic nerve and catecholamine inhibition of gastric mucosal function

The role of the sympathetic nerve supply to the gastric mucosa in gastric physiology is discussed. It is concluded that they are inhibitory to gastric acid secretion, mucosal blood flow, pepsin secretion, gastric oxygen consumption and that these nerves also decrease the serum gastrin concentration. Sympathetic nerve stimulation always reduces the mucosal blood flow and it is suggested therefore, that the inhibition of gastric secretion could be secondary to vasoconstriction mediated by noradrenaline release. The evidence for these conclusions is considered alongside the available histological evidence. It is concluded that the remaining hurdle is to place these phenomena within our knowledge of gastric physiology.