Effects of geranylgeranylacetone on gastrointestinal secretion in rats.

The effects of geranylgeranylacetone (GGA), a new acyclic polyisoprenoid with a novel antiulcer action on gastrointestinal secretion were studied in rats. Intraduodenal administration of GGA (1-30 mg/kg) dose-relatedly reduced the gastric acid secretion caused by pentagastrin, histamine or insulin. On the other hand, GGA (3-30 mg/kg i.d.) dose-relatedly increased pancreatic secretion but did not affect biliary secretion. The above-mentioned findings seem consistent with the further findings that GGA depressed a plasma gastrin level enhanced by insulin while in increased the basal level of plasma secretin. These pharmacological features found in the present studies may partially, at least, account for the mechanism of GGA antiulcer action.