Relationship between serum gastrin concentration and lower-esophageal sphincter pressure.

Serum gastrin concentration [G] has been proposed as the major factor regulating resting lower-esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP). Available supporting evidence in man, however, is largely circumstantial. The present study directly compares measurements of LESP with concurrent levels of circulating serum gastrin in fasting human subjects. A direct correlation was not shown between [G] and resting LESP; rather, a trend existed toward an inverse relationship. The study results indicate that the concentration of serum immunoreactive gastrin is not a major determinant of lower-esophageal sphincter tone in humans.