The action of antacids on serum gastrin concentrations in man

The effects of two doses of NaCl and NaHCO3 as well as of Al(OH3) and AlCl3 respectively, on serum gastrin concentrations and intragastric pH were compared in duodenal ulcer patients. Also the effect of one dose of an AlPO4 containing commercial antacid on serum gastrin concentration and intragastric pH was studied in duodenal ulcer patients and in a control group. Care was taken to induce swallowing at the times the substances were given through an orogastric tube. The study showed that antacids elicited significantly greater gastrin responses than their non-buffering chloride compounds and that the rise of gastrin after a single dose of antacid was small but significant in duodenal ulcer patients and insignificant in non-ulcer controls. Several factors as rising intragastric pH, individual responsiveness, duodenal ulcer state, vagal influences, the participating ions and their amount contribute to the rise of gastrin after antacids.