Key Functions of Enterogastrone in the Human Body
The mucosa of the duodenum present in the lower gastrointestinal tract is responsible for the secretion of a hormone called Enterogastrone. It is termed the best known digestive hormone. The enterogastrone in the human body takes the response to dietary lipids. It inhibits the caudal motion of the contents of the chyme. So, enterogastrone hormone is widely used for treating peptic ulcers and duodenal ulcers.
Enterogastrone Secretion
Pepsin is an endopeptidase, which breaks down the proteins into smaller peptides. The cells lining under the stomach are responsible for gastric digestive enzymes. It helps to digest protein present in food particles. While pepsin mixture enters into duodenum makes the secretion of hormones. They are secretin, enterogastrone, cholecystokinin (pancreozymin), and villikinin.
Function of Enterogastrone
Enterogastrone hormones are responsible for inhibiting the gastric secretion and mobility of the stomach. Enterogastrone transferred to glands and muscles of the stomach with the help of the bloodstream. The main function of enterogastrone is to block the secretion and activity of gastrin. Also, the function of enterogastrone is to slow down emptying the stomach by limiting the secretion of acids. Enterogastrone plays an important role in relaxing the digestive system and allowing food to pass through the valve of the stomach and intestine.
Chemical Composition of Enterogastrone
Still, the chemical composition of enterogastrone is not identified. But after analyzing the substance of the intestine. The researchers found that enterogastrone has the same chemical compositions of two hormones namely secretin and cholecystokinin.
Secretin: The secretin helps to regulate water homeostasis in the human body. It influences the duodenum environment by regulating the enzyme secretion of the stomach, liver, and pancreas. The S cells lining near the intestinal gland duodenum produces a type of peptide hormone, secretin. It regulates the secretion of gastric acid, pancreatic bicarbonate, and osmoregulation. These are stimulated by the pancreatic fluid and bicarbonate secretions.
Cholecystokinin: Cholecystokinin is also known as pancreozymin. The enteroendocrine cells present near the small intestine, the duodenum, takes responsibility for the synthesis of cholecystokinin. It is a gastrointestinal system peptide hormone, which is responsible for the inhibition of digesting fats and protein in food particles. But it promotes enzyme secretion of the gallbladder. Protein-rich foods, healthy fats, and fiber-rich foods increase the secretion of cholecystokinin.
Enterogastrone in Peptic Ulcers
The peptic ulcer is developed on the lining of the stomach and upper portion of the small intestine. The bacteria, Helicobacter pylori is responsible for causing infection in the stomach and develops into peptic ulcers. The long-term intake of non-steroidal drugs also creates peptic ulcers. Peptic ulcers are of two types Gastric Ulcers, which occur inside the stomach, and Duodenal Ulcers, which occur on the upper portion of the small intestine. The person with peptic ulcers starts experiencing common stomach pain.
The person with peptic ulcers gets symptoms like, Burning stomach pain, Feeling of fullness, bloating or belching, Intolerance to fatty foods, Heartburn, Nausea. During the severe stage of peptic ulcers, people experience, Vomiting or vomiting blood — which may appear red or black
Dark blood in stools, or stools that are black or tarry, Trouble to breathe, Feeling faint, Nausea or vomiting, Unexplained weight loss and Appetite changes. These are especially due to the action of acids in stomach linings. The empty stomach makes the cause severe. It especially happens between afternoon and night.
Usually, peptic ulcers occur between the inner lining of the stomach and the small intestine. The acid acts on it may create bleeding or severe pain. The Enterogastrone secretes near the small intestine lowers the process of digestion and decreases the action of acid on the inner lining of the stomach. So, doctors prescribe enterogastrone therapy for treating peptic ulcers and also for avoiding the future cause of peptic ulcers.
FAQs on What is Enterogastrone?
1. What is enterogastrone in the context of human digestion?
Enterogastrone is not a single hormone but a functional term for a group of hormones secreted by the duodenal mucosa (the lining of the first part of the small intestine). These hormones are released in response to fatty or sugary chyme entering the small intestine from the stomach. Their primary role is to inhibit gastric secretions and slow down stomach motility, acting as a natural brake on digestion.
2. What is the main function of the enterogastrone hormone complex?
The main function of enterogastrone hormones is to precisely regulate the pace of digestion. They achieve this by:
- Inhibiting Gastric Secretion: They reduce the production of gastric acid (HCl) and pepsin by the stomach lining.
- Slowing Gastric Motility: They decrease the rate of muscular contractions (peristalsis) of the stomach, which slows down how quickly the stomach empties its contents.
This ensures the small intestine has adequate time to properly digest and absorb nutrients from the chyme without being overwhelmed.
3. What triggers the release of enterogastrone hormones into the bloodstream?
The release of enterogastrone hormones is triggered by the chemical composition of chyme arriving in the duodenum from the stomach. Specifically, the presence of fats, high concentrations of glucose, and high acidity in the chyme stimulates the endocrine cells of the duodenal wall to secrete these regulatory hormones.
4. Which hormones are considered examples of enterogastrones?
The physiological effects attributed to 'enterogastrone' are primarily carried out by a few key gastrointestinal hormones. The main examples include:
- Secretin: This hormone is released in response to acid in the duodenum and strongly inhibits gastric acid secretion.
- Cholecystokinin (CCK): Released mainly in response to fats and proteins, CCK slows down stomach emptying and inhibits gastric activity.
- Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide (GIP): Also known as glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide, it effectively inhibits both gastric acid secretion and motility.
5. Why is the regulatory action of enterogastrone important for overall digestive health?
The regulatory action of enterogastrone is crucial for maintaining a coordinated and efficient digestive process. By slowing down gastric emptying, it prevents a sudden, large-volume rush of acidic chyme into the delicate duodenum. This is important because it:
- Protects the duodenal lining from acid damage.
- Allows pancreatic enzymes and bile to mix thoroughly with the chyme.
- Ensures that the rate of digestion is matched with the intestine's capacity for nutrient absorption.
6. Is 'enterogastrone' a term for a specific hormone found in the body?
No, the term 'enterogastrone' is now considered a functional concept rather than the name of a single, specific hormone. It was historically used to describe any substance from the intestine ('entero') that inhibited the stomach ('gastro'). Modern biology, as per the CBSE syllabus, identifies that this inhibitory effect results from the combined action of distinct hormones like GIP, CCK, and Secretin, each with its own structure and specific triggers.
