| Abstract: | A role of gastrointestinal hormones in the regulation of the lower esophageal sphincter was studied in 22 patients with cardiospasm and 21 with reflux esophagitis. The levels of gastrin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), glucagon, insulin, and c peptide were determined by radioactive assay before and after surgical treatment. In opposite abnormalities (cardiospasm and reflux esophagitis), there is a different degree of VIP secretion both at the beginning and after functional exercises. Before and after functional exercises, the level of VIP was higher than in those with cardiospasm. The value of VIP on fasting and after functional exercises may be an additional information to establish the diagnoses of cardiospasm and reflux esophagitis and to evaluate the efficiency of the treatment performed. |
