The Mechanism of Gastrin Release in Cysteamine-Induced Duodenal Ulcer

Abstract

Duodenal ulcer can be induced in rats by a single dose of cysteamine. The ulcer formation is accompanied by acid hypersecretion and elevated serum gastrin levels. This study was performed to elucidate the mechanism of gastrin release after an ulcerogenic dose of cysteamine. Cysteamine induced a rise in serum gastrin from 29 ± 5 pg/ml to a maximum of 203 ± 62 pg/ml after 3 h in unoperated rats, whereas no rise was seen in vagotomized or antrectomized rats. The β-adrenergic blocking agent propranolol strongly inhibited cysteamine-induced gastrin release, whereas atropine had no effect. The results indicate that gastrin release in cysteamine-induced duodenal ulcer is dependent on an intact vagus nerve and may be mediated by β-adrenergic receptors.

Key-words:

• Cysteamine
• duodenal ulcer
• gastrin