Gastrin release by bombesin in the dog.

1 The intravenous infusion of bombesin produced in intact dogs and, more strikingly in dogs provided with gastric fistulae a sharp increase in plasma levels of immunoreactive gastrin and at the same time a stimulation of gastric acid secretion. Gastrin response was correlated with the dose of bombesin from approximately 0.1 mug kg(-1) h(-1) (threshold) to 1 mug kg(-1) h(-1) (maximum gastrin release).2 Atropine and metiamide reduced or inhibited gastric acid secretion stimulated by bombesin, but did not affect the rise in gastrin levels.3 Acidification of the whole stomach or of a perfused antral pouch caused a reduced or delayed response to bombesin. However, the inhibitory effect of acidification could be surmounted by prolonging the duration of bombesin infusion.4 Antrectomy greatly reduced the rise in gastrin levels and the increase in acid gastric secretion produced by bombesin, but left unaffected the gastric secretagogue effect of pentagastrin.5 It is concluded that bombesin is a potent releaser of gastrin from the antral mucosa.6 The possible influence of the renal effects evoked by bombesin in the dog on the gastrin response to the polypeptide is discussed.