Wect of Antrectomy and Subsequent Vagotomy on the Serum Gastrin Response to Food in Dogs

The effect of food on serum gastrin and gastric acid secretion has been studied in dogs with denervated pouches before and after antrectomy and subsequent vagotomy. A Billroth I anastomosis was used in one group of dogs and a Billroth II in the other. Serum gastrin was measured by radioimmunoassay. In both groups of dogs antrectomy significantly depressed mean basal levels of serum gastrin and abolished the rise in serum gastrin in response to a meat meal. Meal-induced pouch acid secretion was considerably lowered by antrectomy after either Billroth I or Billroth II anastomosis. Vagotomy after antrectomy increased basal levels of gastrin, but did not restore the serum gastrin response to a meat meal in either group of dogs. It is suggested that biologically active forms of gastrin are released from the antrum in response to a meal. Biologically inactive basal levels of gastrin apparently originate from extra-antral sources. The post-vagotomy increase in basal (static) gastrin suggests vagal control of the metabolism of static, extra-antral gastrin.