Pump blockers and ulcer disease.

Ulceration of the upper gastrointestinal tract depends on tissue resistance factors that are not well defined. Acid secretion by fundic mucosa has a key role in eliciting the lesions that result from imperfections in tissue resistance. The adage, "No acid, no ulcer," holds true. Therefore, treatment of ulcer disease has focused largely on the control of luminal acidity, even though methods of altering the response of a lesion to acidity are also being explored. Neutralization of acid is the most obvious approach and is relatively successful in short-term control. On the average, perhaps two hours of control can be expected . . .