[Effect of 1 week's administration of prednisone on gastric acid secretion and liberation of gastrin in healthy humans].

In a double-blind, randomized study we examined the effects of an oral administration of prednisone (60 mg/day for 6 days) or placebo on gastric acid output basally (BAO), in response to peptone meals 1%, 2%, 4% and 8%, 500 ml each) and to pentagastrin 6 micrograms/kg s.c. to determine maximal acid output, MAO) and on plasma gastrin levels in 14 healthy volunteers. Gastric acid output was measured by intragastric titration (pH 5.5). For gastrin determination we used a specific radioimmunoassay. Experiments were performed one day (day 0) before giving the drugs and one day (day 7) and one month (day 30) after finishing the treatment. Both groups were comparable in their gastric acid responses on day 0. Six days treatment with prednisone did not significantly alter BAO, MAO and the gastric acid response to peptone and pentagastrin. Also, one month after finishing the treatment there were no significant differences in gastric acid output. Both groups had similar plasma gastrin levels on each day. Prednisone did not significantly alter plasma gastrin levels. We conclude that a six-day treatment with prednisone does not alter BAO, MAO and gastric secretory responses to peptone nor release of gastrin in healthy human volunteers.