Release of gastrin and somatostatin into the gastric lumen of healthy subjects and patients with duodenal ulcer and achlorhydria.

Gastrin and somatostatin were measured in alkaline gastric instillates in normal subjects, patients with duodenal ulcer disease in quiescent state and in patients with achlorhydria. Both peptides were released into the lumen. The gastrin-somatostatin ratio (G/S) in healthy subjects was approximately three. Duodenal ulcer patients had significantly lower G/S ratio due to lower gastrin and higher somatostatin levels whereas in patients with achlorhydria, the G/S ratio did not differ from normal subjects.