What is the therapeutic effect of omeprazole?

The therapeutic effect of omeprazole is best described as blocking hydrogen secretion from parietal cells in the stomach. Omeprazole is classified as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), and it works by irreversibly inhibiting the H+/K+ ATPase enzyme found in the proton pumps of the gastric parietal cells. This inhibition significantly reduces the production of gastric acid.

By blocking the secretion of hydrogen ions, omeprazole effectively lowers the acidity in the stomach, which can be beneficial for conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcers, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Reducing gastric acid secretion helps to alleviate symptoms related to excessive acid production and aids in the healing process of the esophagus and stomach lining.

The other options do not accurately reflect the mechanism or therapeutic effects of omeprazole. The stimulation of gastric acid secretion would contradict the drug's intended effect. Gastric emptying is not directly influenced by omeprazole, and reducing intestinal absorption of nutrients is not a therapeutic goal and does not represent how omeprazole functions. Thus, the correct characterization of omeprazole’s effect is its role in blocking hydrogen secretion from parietal cells.