[Serum gastrin and somatostatin in diseases of the stomach]

Gastrin and somatostatin are enterohormones which influence several physiological processes in the gastrointestinal tract. Gastrin has a pro-malignant and pro-ulcerogenic effect, while somatostatin deficiency has a similar effect. The authors examined in their investigation the 24-hour secretion of both hormones in patients with gastric ulcer and atypical gastric conditions. They revealed a significant difference in the 24-hour somatostatin level which was higher in patients with atypical gastric conditions (p < 0.05). The finding may suggest a more intense reaction of somatostatin to malignant than to non-malignant disease. In the other compared parameters no statistically significant difference was revealed.