Importance of food in the regulation of gastrin release and formation.

This paper reviews the literature on the role of food in the homeostatic regulation of serum and tissue gastrin levels. In general, the scientific evidence indicates that, in addition to neural and systemic factors (not reviewed here), the chemical rather than the physical characteristics of a meal play an important role in the initiation of the postprandial release of gastrin. The chemical nature of those secretory stimulants have yet to be identified, and evidence is presented that pertains to the role of dietary amino acids and amines as mediators of the gastrin secretory response to a meal. The molecular events associated with food-induced gastrin release have yet to be resolved, and ultrastructural evidence is reviewed supporting three contrasting mechanisms of hormone secretion. Morphological and kinetic studies also indicate that G-cell viability and proliferation as well as intracellular gastrin formation are dependent on the oral intake of dietary stimulants of gastrin release. Additionally, evidence is presented that suggests that food may stimulate gastrin formation both acutely and chronically by catalyzing the posttranslational conversion of a precursor molecule to the active hormone and by increasing hormone biosynthesis.