Neurotensin inhibits meal-stimulated gastric acid secretion in man

The effect of physiological doses of exogenous neurotensin on meal-stimulated gastric acid secretion and serum gastrin concentration was investigated in six healthy subjects. Acid secretion was reduced by 32% during intravenous infusion of neurotensin, the plasma neurotensin concentration being within physiological range. Serum gastrin concentration was unchanged during infusion of neurotensin. The results strongly suggest that neurotensin participates in the regulation of gastric acid secretion and support the theory that neurotensin may play a role in the intestinal phase of gastric acid secretion in man.