Liangshiu Lee, from Taiwan, questions the accuracy of the statement
in Hauser'& Zesiewicz >"Parkinson's Disease: Questions and Answers" that
absorption of levo-dopa from the g.i. tract is delayed by meals and by
increased gastric acidity. Meals should decrease gastric acidity (increase
pH), thereby promoting the ionization of L-dopa in the lumen of the gut and
inhibit uptake of L-dopa. Increased gastric acidity (by increased secretion
of acid into the stomach) supresses ionization of L-dopa which will result
in enhanced absorption of L-dopa.
Lee correctly points out the error on page 51 that increased acid
secretion decreases pH, supresses ionizatiion of L-dopa and thereby enhances
absorption into the mucosa of the stomach.
Steven E. Mayer ([log in to unmask]
>
Steven E. Mayer, Ph.D.
