Meal stimulated gastrin and pancreatic polypeptide levels before and after partial gastric transection for morbid obesity.

The aim of the study was to determine the basal and meal stimulated plasma gastrin and pancreatic polypeptide levels in six morbidly obese patients before and after partial gastric transection (gastroplasty), an operation which results in the distention of the stomach with a small volume of food. The partial gastric transection involved the creation of a proximal gastric pouch of approximately 100 ml, with a 1.2 cm diameter lumen between the proximal and distal gastric pouch. Basal gastrin and pancreatic polypeptide were not altered by the operation. The magnitude of the pancreatic polypeptide response to the mean was significantly depressed, although the time course was not changed. Inhibition of pancreatic secretion is thought to be a physiological function of pancreatic polypeptide, hence its decreased release warrants further investigation in relation to the effect of partial gastric transection on pancreatic function.