Vagal stimulation augments maximal (penta) gastrin-stimulated acid secretion in humans

Since the late sixties, the pentagastrin test has been the standard method to examine maximal gastric acid secretion in humans. However, studies on rats and dogs have shown that maximal pentagastrin-stimulated acid secretion can be augmented by concomitant cholinergic stimulation. The aim of this study was to examine whether the combined stimulation of the vagal nerves and pentagastrin infusion could increase maximal gastric acid secretion compared with pentagastrin alone. Eight healthy medical students (seven males) were included in the study. Gastric acid secretion was determined thrice in each subject. On day one, pentagastrin (6 microg kg(-1) h(-1)) was infused. On day two, insulin-induced hypoglycaemia (plasma glucose approximately 2.3 mM during 30 min) was obtained by applying the glucose clamp technique. On day three, pentagastrin infusion and insulin induced-hypoglycaemia were combined. The combination of insulin-induced hypoglycaemia and pentagastrin infusion increased peak acid output about 20% (P = 0.018) compared with pentagastrin alone. The hypoglycaemia did not cause significant release of gastrin. It is concluded that vagal stimulation of gastric acid secretion may be safely obtained by insulin-induced hypoglycaemia when applying the glucose clamp technique. In addition, maximal pentagastrin-stimulated acid secretion does not represent the maximal acid secretory capacity in humans.