What is the mechanism of action for proton pump inhibitors?

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are designed to reduce gastric acid secretion, which is their primary mechanism of action. They achieve this by specifically targeting the proton pump located in the parietal cells of the stomach lining, which is responsible for the final step of acid production. By inhibiting this enzyme, PPIs effectively decrease the production of gastric acid, thereby providing relief from conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcers, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. This reduction in acid secretion not only alleviates symptoms but also promotes healing of the gastrointestinal tract and prevents damage from excessive acidity.

Other options do not align with the action of proton pump inhibitors. For instance, blocking leukotrienes pertains to anti-inflammatory actions typically associated with asthma medications, while decreasing bowel motility is related to medications that control diarrhea or certain gastrointestinal conditions. Inhibiting inflammatory cells involves different classes of drugs such as corticosteroids and does not describe the function of proton pump inhibitors.