Gastric acid secretion using pentagastrin: dose-response studies

The results of gastric stimulation using varying doses of pentagastrin in twenty-five Nigerians (twenty cases of duodenal ulcer and five controls) are presented. Doses used were 4, 6, 8, and 10 micrograms/kg bodyweight. The optimal response was obtained using 6 micrograms/kg bodyweight in the test cases while the maximum acid output (MAO) was 15.14 mEq/hr (19 mEq/hr in males, 12.50 mEq/hr in females). The recommended dose for optimal response in Caucasians is 6 micrograms/kg bodyweight which correlates with the dose in our patients. However, the maximum acid output at this dose is higher in Caucasians.