The effect of renal transplantation on basal serum gastrin concentration

Basal serum gastrin concentration was measured before and every week during the initial 5 weeks after renal transplantation in 9 of 20 patients with chronic renal failure who obtained a well functioning renal transplant. Furthermore, calcium and phosphorus metabolism in relation to serum gastrin was investigated in all 20 patients 5 weeks after transplantation. Before renal transplantation, serum gastrin was markedly elevated as compared with the levels in normal controls. During the first 3-5 weeks after renal transplantation, serum gastrin decreased towards normal values. A slight but significant increase in serum gastrin persisted 5 weeks after transplantation. No significant relation between changes in serum gastrin concentration and in calcium and phosphorus metabolism was observed.