[Dopamine levels in the gastric and duodenal mucosa, blood and urine in patients with duodenal ulcer].

A study was made of the dopamine (DA) level in the gastric and duodenal mucosa, blood and urine of 54 patients with duodenal ulcer and 19 healthy persons. An increase in the DA level in the duodenal mucosa, blood and urine during exacerbation of disease was noted. The DA level in the gastric mucosa was normal. Reverse correlation between the DA content in the gastric mucosa and blood, on the one hand, and criteria of acid production, on the other hand, was established. An increase in the activity of chromaffin cells was interpreted as a compensatory reaction ensuring the reduction of catecholamine metabolism, a decrease in gastric secretion, a rise of the rates of reparative regeneration in the duodenal mucosa.