A hypothesis of couplet molecules and couplet cells in gastric function and an association with Helicobacter pylori

Abstract

Background: Gastrin, from G-cells, and histamine, from enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells, are two of the hormones that regulate gastric activity. Discussion: It is proposed that the G-cells and the ECL cells are coupled by the couplet molecules gastrin and histamine and by a prior asymmetrical cell division. The gastrin (from G-cells) stimulates the ECL cells to produce and secrete histamine while, in a reciprocal way, this histamine (from ECL cells), stimulates the G-cells to produce and secrete gastrin. These molecules would also stimulate cell division - the gastrin would stimulate cell division of ECL cells while histamine would stimulate that of G-cells. A chemical complex of gastrin and histamine is postulated as is also the asymmetric cell divisions of precursor cells to produce the coupled G-cells and ECL cells. Conclusion: There is sufficient evidence to support the feasibility of the model in general, but more direct experimental evidence is required to validate the model as applied here to gastric function.