Serum and Antral Mucosal Biopsy Specimens

Helicobacter pyloni infection is associated with increased meal stimulated gastrin secretion, but the reason for this is unknown. Sequence specific radioimmunoassays were used to measure the concentration of ot-amidated gastrin, the total progastrin product, and somatostatin in biopsy specimens of human antral mucosa. The antral concentrations of ct-amidated gastrin and of total progastrin products were significantly higher in H pyloni infected patients than in those not infected by this organism. In contrast, the antral somatostatin concentration was significantly decreased in infected patients. Progastrin processing, determined by gel chromatography, seemed unaffected by H pyloni infection. The results suggest that the finding of increased gastrin secretion from the antral G cells in Hpyloni infected patients may be a result of reduced inhibition of G-cell secretion by somatostatin. (Gut 1994; 35: 615-618) Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Rigshopitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark L 0dum