BIOASSAY OF GASTRIN USING THE ISOLATED VASCULARLY PERFUSED RAT STOMACH - A NEW, SIMPLIFIED AND SENSITIVE METHOD

Radioimmunoassays are sensitive and specific methods for measurement o f the concentrations of regulatory peptides. However, aspects of physi ological, pathophysiological and pharmacological research require know ledge about the biological activity which does not necessarily vary co ncomitantly with immunological activity. The present work describes a simplified bioassay for gastrin based on the gastric histamine releasi ng properties of this peptide, using an isolated vascularly perfused r at stomach preparation with a crystalline perfusate and a specific rad ioimmunoassay for histamine. The establishment of a dose-response curv e is described, as well as the utilization of the bioassay on sera fro m patients with hypergastrinaemia. The method is sensitive for gastrin in the low (4 pmol L(-1)) picomolar range.