Summary
The role of cAMP and prostaglandins as specific intracellular effectors of gastrin
action at the- level of the parietal cells has not been sufficiently clarified.
For this reason we studied the responses of the parietal cells to stimulation with
pentagastrin (6 μg/kg i.m.) during theophylline infusion (which causes an increase
in the intracellular cAMP) and during acetylsalicylic acid infusion (which inhibits
the prostaglandin synthesis) in 28 healthy volunteers.
Both theophylline and acetylsalicylic acid provoked a significant increase of gastric
acid secretion after pentagastrin. Our results suggest that: 1. an increase in intracellular
cAMP maybe the basis of the stimulatory effect of gastrin on gastric acid secretion
2. a decrease in the synthesis of prostaglandins may lead to a greater gastric acid
response after pentagastrin.
Key words
cAMP - Prostaglandins - Gastric acid secretion - Pentagastrin