Effect of bombesin on serum gastrin concentration in patients with chronic pancreatitis
Vezzadini, P.; Bonora, G.; Sternini, C.; Labò, G.
Panminerva Medica 26(3): 181-184
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-0808 PMID: 6522080 Document Number: 227774
The effect of bombesin infusion or serum gastrin concentration was evaluated in 14 patients with chronic pancreatitis and in 14 healthy subjects. I.v. infusion of bombesin (9 ng/kg per min over 30 min) induced a significant increase in serum gastrin levels either in chronic pancreatitis patients or in normal subjects. The integrated gastrin response in patients with severe pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (enzyme output less than 25% of the lower limit of normal range) was significantly greater than that of controls; no significant difference was observed between chronic pancreatitis patients with mild-moderate exocrine dysfunction (enzyme output above 25% of the lower limit of normal range) and normal subjects. Considering that most patients with severe disease had insulin-dependent diabetes, it is possible to suggest that a vagal neuropathy could be involved in gastrin hypersecretion in these patients.