Effect of bombesin on extragastric gastrin in man

The effect of a protein test meal and a bombesin infusion on extragastric gastrin levels was studied in patients with truncal vagotomy, antrectomy, and gastroduodenostomy or gastrojejunostomy and in patients with total gastrectomy. In patients with vagotomy, antrectomy, and gastroduodenostomy and in patients with total gastrectomy the gastrin levels were raised by 33% and 35%, respectively, from basal after test meal, while during BBS infusion gastrin values decreased by 25% and 30%, respectively, from basal. In patients with vagotomy, antrectomy, and gastrojejunostomy, test meal and BBS infusion did not significantly alter basal gastrin values. It is concluded that BBS does not stimulate extragastric gastrin.