gastrins and Constriction--Pathologic

The secretion of hormones stimulating and inhibiting gastric secretory activity was studied in 85 patients with postvagotomy syndromes. The somatropin level was found to increase significantly in gastrostasis. The lower values of the blood insulin and C-peptide content in patients with recurrent ulcers was evidently associated either with insufficiency of the pancreatic insular apparatus or with partial vagal denervation, increased STH level, and plausible inhibiting effect of glucagon. Increased somatostatin secretion in the dumping syndrome, gastrostasis, and peptic ulcers may be due to the encountered hypergastrinemia.

Topics: C-Peptide; Constriction, Pathologic; Diarrhea; Dumping Syndrome; Gastric Acid; Gastrins; Glucagon; Growth Hormone; Humans; Insulin; Insulin Secretion; Neurotransmitter Agents; Peptic Ulcer; Postoperative Complications; Recurrence; Somatostatin; Stomach Diseases; Syndrome; Vagotomy, Proximal Gastric

A case of adrenocortical hyperfunction due to ectopic production of ACTH by a gastrin-producing tumor of the pancreas is described. Cushing's syndrome preceded the appearance of the overt Zollinger-Ellison syndrome by 2 years and was treated by bilateral adrenalectomy. The Zollinger-Ellison syndrome was initially treated with cimetidine, which successfully reduced the secretion of gastric acid. Because the pancreatic gastrinoma continued to grow, causing obstruction of the common bile duct, biliary diversion and total gastrectomy were performed. There is evidence that the pancreatic gastrinoma was the source of the ectopic production of ACTH and possibly secretion. The role of Histamine-2 blocking agents as therapy in the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is discussed.

Topics: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Adult; Biliary Tract Diseases; Cholestasis; Common Bile Duct; Constriction, Pathologic; Gastrins; Hormones, Ectopic; Humans; Male; Pancreatic Neoplasms