The role of adrenaline and of the vagus in gastrin release and acid secretion in dogs

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Abstract
Serum gastrin, gastric acid secretion and plasma adrenaline in response to i.v. injection of 2-deoxy-D-glucose and to insulin were measured in 6 dogs with gastric fistula before and after denervation of the antrum and intestine (antral-intestinal vagotomy). Serum gastrin and gastric acid secretion were also measured in the same dogs during i.v. infusion of adrenaline in doses which produced an elevation of plasma adrenaline to levels occurring during hypoglycemia and after the injection of 2-deoxy-D-glucose. Antral-intestinal vagotomy reduced basal gastrin concentration slightly and basal gastric acid secretion considerably. The rise in serum gastrin in response to 2-deoxy-D-glucose and hypoglycemia was abolished while the increase in gastric acid secretion was reduced after antral-intestinal vagotomy. Beef meal-stimulated gastrin secretion was the same before and after vagotomy. I.v. infusion of adrenaline had no effect on either serum gastrin or gastric acid secretion. In the dog, distinct from man, gastrin release after insulin is dependent on an intact vagus. Release of gastrin by adrenaline in the dog does not appear physiological since it is not achieved by the amount of adrenaline released in response to hypoglycemia.