Some polypeptides influencing gastric-acid secretion

Effect of urogastrone on gastric secretion and plasma gastrin levels in normal subjects

Purified human urogastrone was given by intravenous infusion to 12 normal volunteer subjects and measurements made of gastric acid, pepsin and intrinsic factor secretion, and of plasma gastrin concentration. Clinical, haematological, and biochemical screening tests were made throughout the period of study. Urogastrone inhibited acid and intrinsic factor secretion whether stimulated by pentagastrin, histamine, or insulin, but had a much less marked effect on gastric pepsin output. Plasma gastrin levels did not alter significantly. Limited dose-response studies showed that 0-25 mug urogastrone kg--1 hr--1 resulted in inhibition of acid output of 80% and was not associated with clinical side-effects. No significant alteration in any of the haematological or biochemical measurements was observed in any of the subjects.

Effect of urogastrone in the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

The effects of human urogastrone (0-25 mug. per kg. per hour intravenously) in four male patients with proven Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (z.e.s.) and in four healthy control subjects have been studied. After urogastrone in z.e.s. patients gastric acid volume and concentration decreased and basal acid output was reduced by 50-82%; the concentrations of intrinsic factor and pepsin in gastric juice increased by 60-300%; and peak plasma-gastrin concentration increased by 127-164% of basal concentration. A significant negative correlation between increase in plasma-gastrin concentration and decrease in acid output was observed (r=-0-72, P less than 0-01). Ulcer pain was relieved 30-60 minutes after the beginning of urogastrone infusion. These results suggest that urogastrone can inhibit the endogenously stimulated acid hypersecretion in z.e.s.