EFFECTS OF TRH ON GASTRIC-ACID SECRETION - A MODEL FOR HUMAN STUDY

The possible effects of TRH administration on different parameters of gastric function were studied in 10 patients with different gastrointe stinal complaints. Basal (BAG) and pentagastrin stimulated (6 mu g pen tagastrin/kg bw sc) maximal (MAO) acid output were determined and seru m levels of TSH, total and free thyroxine (T4 and FT4), triiodothyroni ne (T3) were measured. After determinations of BAO and MAO and the hor mones indicated above, one group of patients received a TRH injection (0.2 mg protirelin) intravenously. The second group of patients was in jected with atropine (atropinum sulfuricum, 1 mg, iv). At different ti mes following the injections in both groups of patients BAG, MAO and s erum levels of TSH, total and free T4, T3, gastrin were determined. In jection of TRH resulted in an increase in TSH and with some delay in t hyroxine and gastric acid levels. Atropine treatment was followed by a decrease in gastric acid secretion and a small decrease in TSH and no changes in the values of the other studied hormones. The results sugg est a complex interrelationship between TRH, vagal system and pentagas trin-dependent gastric acid secretion operating in human subjects.