Gastrin and Nitric Oxide Production in Cultured Gastric Antral Mucosa Are Altered in Response to a Gastric Digest of a Dietary Supplement.
Authors: MacNicol Jennifer L, Pearson Wendy
Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: G's Formula and Gastric Mucosal Responses in Vitro MacNicol and Pearson cultured porcine gastric antral tissue under three conditions—neutral buffer, simulated acidic gastric fluid, or acidic gastric fluid supplemented with G's Formula (a commercial equine dietary supplement)—then assessed how these environments affected gastrin secretion, nitric oxide production, and interleukin-1β release following cholinergic stimulation with carbachol. Acidic gastric conditions substantially blunted the normal cholinergic-driven increase in gastrin that occurred in neutral conditions, whilst also suppressing nitric oxide secretion; crucially, adding the dietary supplement to the acidic environment appeared to restore both gastrin and nitric oxide responses closer to control levels, despite maintaining physiologically realistic pH conditions. Tissue viability remained consistent across all treatments, confirming that observed differences reflected genuine changes in mucosal function rather than cell death. Given that gastrin and nitric oxide are key regulators of gastric motility and mucosal protection—particularly important in horses prone to gastric ulceration and dysmotility—these findings suggest the supplement may enhance mucosal responsiveness in the acidic environment of the stomach. Whilst the in vitro model cannot definitively predict in vivo effects, these results warrant further investigation into whether G's Formula meaningfully improves gastric function in clinical cases, particularly those with impaired antral contractility or compromised mucosal defences.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •G's Formula dietary supplement may help maintain normal gastric mucosal signaling responses in acidic conditions, though in vivo validation is needed before clinical recommendations
- •This in vitro model suggests the supplement could preserve gastric motility-related processes by supporting nitric oxide and gastrin production when gastric pH is low
- •Results are preliminary laboratory findings using porcine tissue; efficacy and safety in horses requires further controlled clinical investigation
Key Findings
- •Acidic gastric fluid (simulated gastric digest) reduced carbachol-stimulated gastrin secretion compared to neutral pH controls
- •Nitric oxide secretion was significantly lower in acidic gastric fluid conditions versus neutral controls
- •Addition of G's Formula dietary supplement to acidic gastric fluid partially restored both gastrin and nitric oxide responses to cholinergic stimulation
- •Cell viability was maintained across all treatment conditions over 72 hours of culture