[The gastrin-producing function of the stomach in patients with chronic alcoholism]

Basal and maximum gastrin levels were measured in 81 patients with various stages of chronic alcoholism and different periods of alcohol intake, in 23 patients with chronic gastritis of nonalcohol etiology, and in 12 normal subjects. The findings permit a conclusion on the depressive effect of alcohol on the function of gastrin-producing G-cells, this resulting in lowered levels of both basal and maximal gastrin. A direct correlation between the degree of alcohol depression of gastric gastrin production and the length of alcohol consumption was revealed.