Effects of endothelin on serum gastrin level and acid secretion in rats

Endothelin (ET) is a potent ulcerogen in gastric mucosa. Disordered microcirculation due to vasoconstriction may cause gastric mucosal injury. In a previous study we found ET in gastric mucosal cells, especially chief cells and endocrine cells, and in vascular endothelial cells. Most endocrine cells staining for ET-1 are G cells. This study was done to find whether ET affects G-cell function, particularly gastrin release and acid secretion. ET-1 or ET-3 (5 nmol/kg) was injected i.v. into male Wistar rats. Blood samples were collected just before and 15, 30, or 60 min after injection and serum gastrin levels were assayed by RIA. The effects of BQ123-Na (Banyu), an ET receptor antagonist, pirenzepin, or an intragastric pH of 2 on changes in the gastrin levels brought about by ET-1 were examined. The gastric contents of rats with the pylorus ligated were collected for 1 h and then for the next 4 h after the ET-1 injection, and the acid output was calculated. After ET-1 administration, the gastric mucosa of the pyloric gland area was immunostained with antigastrin. The serum gastrin levels at 15, 30, and 60 min after ET-1 injection (220 +/- 94, 204 +/- 77, and 366 +/- 191 pg/ml, respectively) were significantly higher than those before the injection (75 +/- 18 pg/ml). ET-1 decreased the number of cells stained for gastrin. ET-3 had no effect on gastrin levels. BQ123-Na inhibited the increase in gastrin caused by ET-1, but pirenzepin had no effect. At pH 2, ET-1 had no effect on gastrin. ET-1 decreased acid output (2.6 +/- 2.3 microEq/h and 239 +/- 80 microEq/4 h, respectively) vs. controls (63 +/- 55 microEq/h and 346 +/- 81 microEq/4 h). Therefore, ET-1 increases rat serum gastrin levels, an effect that may be related to its reduction of acidity.