[Serum gastrin in patients with diabetes]

We evaluated the basal and postprandial circulating levels of gastrin in 20 diabetic patients and in 20 normal subject. The basal gastrin concentrations were not statistically different in comparison to controls. The blood tests provoked increased circulating levels of gastrin. In our study diabetes significantly enhanced that response, particularly in diabetics with severe disease, peripheral neuropathy and in untreated patients. Histologic evidence of antral hyperplasia was obtained in 7 patients; atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia were found in 3 diabetics. We postulate that postprandial gastrin levels raised secondary to achlorhydria, common in diabetics.