Mismatch of gastric acid and duodenal bicarbonate secretory capacity in aging telomerase-deficient mice

Background: The incidence of non H.p-related duodenal ulcers strongly increases with age and life stress, but the study of its pathophysiology has been hampered by the lack of suitable animal models. Telomere shortening has recently been demonstrated to occur during normal ageing, to be accelerated by high stress levels, and, in telomerase-deficient (TERC -/-) mice, to be associated with increased tissue vulnerability and reduced organ regenerative capacity. We therefore wondered how telomerase shortening may affect the aggressive and protective ion secretory processes in the upper GI tract of TERC-/- mice. Meth…