The Interrelations of Gastrin Release, Antral Gastrin Concentration and Acid Secretion Rate

Abstract

The interrelations of meal stimulated gastrin release, antral gastrin concentration (AGC) and acid secretion rate were examined in a heterogenous group of 72 patients. Gastrin release calculated as the integrated gastrin output was directly related to AGC, r = 0.50 (p < 0.001) and inversely related to maximum acid output (MAO), r = -0.31 (p < 0.01). The relation between integrated gastrin output and AGC was significant in 21 patients with low acid secretion rates (MAO: < 10 mEq/h), r = 0.66 (p < 0.01) and in 27 patients with normal acid secretion rates (MAO: 10–25 mEq/h), r = 0.56 (p < 0.05), but not in 24 patients with high acid secretion rates (MAO: > 25 mEq/h), r = 0.35 (p > 0.05). A weak inverse relation between AGC and MAO may exist in patients with low acid secretion rates, r = -0.40 (p < 0.10). Considered together using multiple regression procedures AGC and MAO explained less than one-half of the variability in meal stimulated gastrin release.