Abstract
Schrumpf, E. & Semb, L. S. 1973. The Metabolic Clearance Rate and Half-Life of Synthetic Human Gastrin in Dogs. Scand. J. Gastroent. 8, 203-207.
Synthetic human gastrin was infused at a constant rate for 2 hours in dogs. The gastrin level was determined by radioimmunoassay in plasma samples before, during, and at frequent intervals after the infusion. The gastric acid output from a Heidenhain pouch was also measured. During the infusion the gastrin concentration and the gastric acid output reached a plateau level. After stopping the infusion, a rapid decline in the plasma concentration of gastrin was observed. Regression analysis indicated that the disappearance curve fits best a single exponential, suggesting that the removal of gastrin is directly proportional to the concentration. The mean metabolic clearance rate per kg bodyweight was 70 ml/min. The mean half-life of gastrin was 3.7 minutes. The mean plateau blood level, half-life, and metabolic clearance rate of gastrin were not influenced by simultaneous infusion of secretin. Because the metabolic clearance rate exceeds renal plus splanchnic blood flow, it is suggested that gastrin is metabolized also outside the splanchnic and renal region.