Gastrin Release by Ethanol in Man and in Dogs

Abstract

In man, oral or intravenous administration of ethanol caused a small but definite increase in peripheral serum gastrin concentration (measured by radioimmunoassay). In dogs, perfusion of the antrum with 10% ethanol caused an immediate increase in gastrin levels in the antral venous outflow. Acidification of the perfusate did not totally block the gastrin release from the antrum. Intravenous infusion of ethanol in dogs caused release of gastrin from the antrum.IN 1898, CHrTlENDEN AND cowoRERs3 reported that ingestion of ethanol stimulated gastric acid secretion. The mechanisms responsible for this stimulation are not entirely clear, but several studies suggest that at least two paths are involved: first, local contact of alcohol with antral mucosa seems to release gastrin",7",7"'8 and second, after its absorption, alcohol acts directly on the parietal cells.40o1618 The mechanism by which blood alcohol directly stimulates the oxyntic glands is not known.We have studied the characteristics of the release of gastrin (measured by radioimmunoassay) in response to local application of ethanol to the antral mucosa in man and in dogs. In addition, we have studied the effect of intravenous ethanol on basal serum gastrin levels in man and on gastrin release from the antrum in dogs. A double lumen catheter was inserted into the antrum via a stab wound in the duodenum for antral perfusion (250 ml/hr). The pylorus was ligated around the catheter, and the antral vein was cannulated as described previously."1 The antrum was perfused sequentially with physiologic saline (pH 5.0) for 30 minutes, 10% ethanol (pH 5.0) for 60 minutes, 10% ethanol (pH 1.0) for 60 minutes, and finally 10% ethanol (pH 7.0) for 30 minutes. Blood samples for serum gastrin determination were obtained in the basal state and at intervals throughout the experiment. Materials and Methods Effect of Intravenous Ethanol on Basal SerumGastrin Concentration Studies in Man. Six healthy volunteers were fasted overnight. After two basal blood samples were obtained for serum gastrin determination, 7% ethanol in 0.9% NaCl was infused into a peripheral vein at the rate of 4 ml/ kg/hr for 60 minutes. Blood samples were collected at intervals for 120 minutes after the infusion was started.Studies in Dogs. Six adult mongrel dogs were anesthetized, operated upon, and the stomachs were prepared as described in the studies on the local release of gastrin 906

Effects of Whisky on Plasma Gastrin and Cholecystokinin in Young Adult Men

“…The small, but significant, elevation in the plasma concentration of gastrin early after oral intake of alcohol is in line with the results reported by Hajnal et al 15 and Becker et al, 17 who suggested that the enhancement of gastric secretion caused by the intake of alcohol is partially mediated by gastrin. With regard to CCK, enhancement of CCK secretion by alcohol intake has been reported in rats.…”

Effects of Ethanol and Nicotine on Gastrin and Somatostatin Release in Rats

“…Ethanol has been shown to release gastrin both in man and dogs [2], The current study with rats not only confirms these findings but also reveals for the first time that the blood level of somatostatin is increased after ethanol administration. However, the mechanism for either effect has not been examined.…”

“…The possibility of ethanol directly stimulating (due to its hy pertonicity and higher pH) the chemoreceptors in the gastrointestinal tract [3,7,10], to account for the release of both gastrin and somatostatin, should be considered. How ever, since intravenous infusion of ethanol can also increase gastrin blood levels [2], this suggests that ethanol may release gastrin and somatostatin by local as well as systemic actions on the gut.…”

“…However, it is unclear whether there is any interaction between the alkaloid and alcohol on hormonal release in the gas trointestinal tract. Ethanol-evoked gastrin secretion has been reported in man and in dogs [2], and is thought to be responsible for increased gastric acid secretion during etha nol administration [2,3], Another closely related hormone, somatostatin, has been shown to be responsible for the modulation of gastrin release and gastric acid output [4,5], but the effect of ethanol on the secretion of this hormone has not yet been reported. This study investigates the release of gastrin and somatostatin by ethanol, and of gastric acid by nicotine in rats.…”

Influence of Ethanol, Caffeine and Intragastric Cooling on Gastrin and Insulin Secretion in Man

“…It is more likely that ethanol acts directly on gastric mucosa by local irritation (Code, 1953). Becker et al (1974) reported a small and transient increase in gastrin release after intravenous administration of 7 % ethanol. In contrast to our findings the authors observed a significant increase in gastrin secretion following oral ingestion of 18 and 50 % ethanol in man.…”