The effects of secretagogues of isolated human gastric glands.

The function of isolated human gastric glands has been studied in vitro by measuring the 14C-aminopyrine accumulation (RAP) in basal, unstimulated, conditions and after stimulation with different secretagogues. A microscale technique was used which enabled determinations of RAP in tissue obtained as gastroscopic biopsies. In addition, oxyntic-gland-containing mucosa was obtained at gastric resections for gastric or prepyloric ulcer disease. Histamine and cAMP derivative both induced maximal stimulation; RAP was approximately three times larger than in basal states. Carbachol induced a smaller but still significant stimulation. Pentagastrin did not increase RAP above the unstimulated level. Combinations of histamine and carbachol or pentagastrin did not induce a larger response than carbachol alone. The peak acid response to pentagastrin or betazole in vivo did not correlate with the maximum RAP in vitro.