GASTRIC-SECRETION IN DUODENAL-ULCER PATIE NTS - GASTRIN AND PEPSINOGEN LEVELS, AND ACID OUTPUT

Aim: To examine gastric secretion in duodenal ulcer patients; simultan eous assessment of serum gastrin and pepsinogen I levels and acid secr etion. Methods: 32 patients with duodenal ulcer disease were studied ( mean age: 44.7 +/- 14 years, 24 males (75%). At endoscopy, biopsy spec imens from duodenal bulb, antrum, body and gastric fundus were taken. Basal levels of acid secretion, pepsinogen I and gastrin were measured , as well as stimulated levels (with pentagastrin and beef meal). Resu lts: Mean (+/-SD) BAO and MAO was 5.5 +/- 4 and 27.7 +/- 10 mEq/h, res pectively. BAO in males were higher than in females (p < 0.05). A posi tive correlation (p < 0.01) was observed between MAO, and basal and st imulated pepsinogen I. Basal and stimulated (integrated-90min) gastrin levels were 43.4 +/- 12 pg/ml and 5,260 pg/ml min, respectively. No c orrelation between such levels and acid secretion or pepsinogen I was observed. Mean basal and stimulated (integrated-120min) pepsinogen lev els were 109.3 +/- 35 ng/ml and 4,950 +/- 160 ng/ml min, respectively, and they were higher in males (p < 0.01), and in smokers (p < 0.05). Conclusion: It was confirmed, in a group of duodenal ulcer patients, t hat BAO is higher in males than in females. There is a positive correl ation between MAO and pepsinogen I levels, although this correlation i s not present between gastrin levels and acid secretion or pepsinogen I, Pepsinogen I leves are higher in males and smokers.