Relationship between reduction of gastric acid secretion and plasma gastrin concentration during omeprazole treatment

We have studied the relationship between reduction of gastric acid secretion and fasting plasma gastrin concentrations during once daily omeprazole treatment. Healthy subjects were given omeprazole for 5 days in daily doses of 5, 10, 20, 40, or 80 mg. Acid secretion and fasting gastrin concentration were measured 6 h (maximal omeprazole effect) and 24 h (minimal omeprazole effect) after the fifth omeprazole dose. Omeprazole in doses lower than 20 mg daily did not suppress pentagastrin-stimulated acid secretion in all subjects 6 h after dosing on the 5th day. Doses of 20-80 mg omeprazole, however, significantly reduced acid secretion 24 h after the fifth dose, the range being 36-76%. A relationship between degree of acid inhibition and fasting gastrin concentration was observed. However, acid secretion needed to be reduced by more than 80% before gastrin levels were clearly affected. This degree of acid inhibition was only achieved 6 h after administration of omeprazole in doses of 20 mg and higher. The inhibitory effect of omeprazole on acid secretion decreased 24 h after dosing. Thus, fasting gastrin concentrations were moderately increased in the beginning and normalized at the end of each 24-h period during treatment with daily doses of 20-80 mg omeprazole.