3 MONTHS OF OCTREOTIDE TREATMENT DECREASES GASTRIC-ACID SECRETION ANDARGROPHIL CELL-DENSITY IN PATIENTS WITH ZOLLINGER-ELLISON SYNDROME AND ANTRAL G-CELL HYPERFUNCTION

Methods: The effects of three months of treatment with octreotide on g astric acid hypersecretion induced by hypergastrinaemia were investiga ted in patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (n = 5) or antral G-ce ll hyperfunction (n = 4). Gastric acid secretion, fasting plasma gastr in concentrations and clinical findings were examined, and a morphomet rical analysis of oxyntic endocrine cells was performed. Results: Admi nistration of octreotide 100 mcg b.d. subcutaneously significantly dec reased the volume density of argyrophil cells (P < 0.05) as well as ba sal and pentagastrin-stimulated acid secretion (P < 0.05). Although pa rtial or complete loss of inhibition was found in most patients after 3 months, gastrin levels were decreased during the first 2 months,of t reatment (P < 0.05). Fundic D-cells were not affected by treatment. Po sitive correlations were observed between volume density of argyrophil cells and basal acid output (r = 0.65); plasma gastrin and basal acid output (r = 0.74); plasma gastrin concentrations and volume density o f argyrophil cells (r = 0.80). Conclusion: These results support the i mportant role of the enterochromaffin-like cell in maintaining acid se cretion, and indicate a specific role for octreotide in the therapy of gastric acid hypersecretion associated with hypergastrinaemic disease s.