Effect of an intravenous infusion of aminoacids (Aminoplex 14) on gastric secretion in healthy subjects and patients with duodenal ulcers.

The effect of an intravenous infusion of an aminoacid solution (Aminoplex 14) on gastric secretion is compared in healthy subjects and in duodenal ulcer patients. The acid secretory response was twice as high in duodenal ulcer patients than in normal subjects, 60 minutes after starting the infusion. Serum gastrin levels, although initially higher in duodenal ulcer patients, showed no augmentation throughout the infusion. Blood glucose, serum osmolality and PCV estimations did not alter significantly. Serum aminoacid levels showed a pronounced rise, doubling basal values, and tended to parallel the increase in acid output. Cimetidine, administered orally, suppressed the acid secretory response to intravenous aminoacid. The marked stimulation in acid secretion following aminoacid infusion in duodenal ulcer patients was not elicited after truncal or highly selective vagotomy.