Effects of bombesin on gastrin and gastric acid secretion in patients with duodenal ulcer.

The effect of bombesin, a possible neurotransmitter of gastrin release, upon gastrin and gastric acid secretion was investigated in 25 patients with duodenal ulcer and in 16 normal subjects. In patients with duodenal ulcer bombesin (10 ng/kg/min) produced an increase in plasma gastrin output (median 22.4 (range 7.5-75.8) pmol/l/min) similar to that obtained in normal subjects (median 24.4 (range 58-56.5) pmol/l/min), whereas gastrin stimulated by a meal was significantly higher in the group of patients with duodenal ulcer (median 20.7 (range 9.2-42.9) vs 16.2 (range 3.422.2) p<0.05). Peak acid output induced by bombesin was significantly higher in patients with duodenal ulcer than in normal subjects (median 24.4 (range 9-0-63.8) vs 14-0 (range 3(0-24.8) mmol/h, p