Effect of metiamide on basal and stimulated serum cholecystokinin levels in duodenal ulcer patients.

Serum cholecystokinin (CCK) levels were measured in 10 patients with chronic duodenal ulcers, fasting and at intervals after two standard tests meals (300 ml of 40 mmol/1 phenylalanine solution), one given before and one during H2-receptor blockade with metiamide (200 mg four times a day). Fasting serum CCK levels were lower in all patients during treatment with metiamide (the mean level falling from 306-0 +/- 102-0 (SEM) to 82-1 +/- 23-6 pg/ml after treatment (p less than 0-01)). In contrast, peak serum CCK levels after the meal were not significantly different (7400 +/- 1141 pg/ml before treatment and 7569 +/- 1293 pg/ml on metiamide). We conclude that in duodenal ulcer patients CCK secretion under basal condtions may be in part dependent on stimulation of the small intestinal mucosa by gastric acid, but that, after an amino acid meal, gastric acid secretion is less important in determining the amount of CCK released.