Inhibition of gastric acid secretion by jejunal glucose and its relation to osmolality and glucose load.

Intrajejunal infusion of hypertonic glucose and hypertonic saline inhibits pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion in man. This effect is generally ascribed to the hyperosmolality of the solutions. Five volunteers were given 50 g glucose in osmolar concentrations of 2700 mosmol/l and 900 mosmol/l, and five were given 25 g glucose in osmolar concentrations of 2700 mosmol/l and 300 mosmol/l. Control studies with intrajejunal infusion of physiologic saline were performed in all subjects. Median inhibition of gastric acid secretion was 91% after 50 g glucose and 47% after 25 g glucose and was unrelated to the osmolar concentration. These findings suggest that the acid-inhibitory effect of intrajejunally administered glucose is related to the glucose load and not to the osmolar concentration. Plasma responses of intact neurotensin, immunoreactivity, NH2-terminal neurotensin immunoreactivity, enteroglucagon, and gastric inhibitory polypeptide were all related to the amount of glucose given. Glucagon and somatostatin, both of which are potent inhibitors of gastric secretion, were not released by intrajejunally administered glucose.