ROLE OF GASTRIN IN PEPTIC-ULCER DISEASE - EFFECTS OF A BETA-ADRENERGIC ANTAGONIST ON ADRENALINE-STIMULATED ACID AND GASTRIN-SECRETION

Intensified acid and gastrin secretion following adrenalin stimulation is a phenomenon peculiar to peptic ulcer patients. The beta-adrenergi c system may figure prominently in hyperacidity which produces ulcers. To investigate the role of the beta-adrenergic system in gastric acid and gastrin secretion, basal and adrenalin-stimulated secretion was m easured in seven peptic ulcer patients with and without beta-blocker a dministration. Basal acid secretion was not influenced by beta-blocker , but basal gastrin secretion was reduced. Thus the increase of the se rum gastrin level and gastric acid concentration during adrenalin infu sion apparently was mediated by beta-adrenergic receptors, but other s timulatory and inhibitory mechanisms may also have a role.