URINARY GASTRIN OUTPUT AND SERUM GASTRIN IN PATIENTS WITH LIVER-CIRRHOSIS - URINARY GASTRIN OUTPUT IN CIRRHOSIS

The aim of the present study was to examine the diurnal urinary gastri n output in cirrhotics and to clarify whether in patients with hepator enal syndrome urinary gastrin output is reduced. Thirty-two cirrhotics and 25 age- and sex-matched, controls were studied. Cirrhotics were d ivided into 3 groups: (I: without ascites and normal serum creatinine; II: ascites and normal creatinine; III: ascites and increased creatin ine). Mean fasting serum gastrin concentration was lower in the contro l group than in Group I, II (p < 0.01) or III (p < 0.001). In this lat ter group mean serum gastrin concentration was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than in the other two groups of cirrhotics. The mean 24h uri nary gastrin output was lower (p < 0.001) in Group III patients than i n the other groups of subjects studied. Also in the controls urinary g astrin output was lower (p < 0.01) than in Groups I and II, These find ings suggest that: a) in cirrhotics with normal serum creatinine the a verage serum gastrin levels over the course of the day are indeed high er than in normals and b) In cirrhotics with hepatorenal syndrome, imp aired urinary gastrin output appears to contribute significantly to th eir hypergastrinemia.