[Effect of a liquid protein meal on acid secretion, gastric emptying and serum gastrin before and after fundic vagotomy for duodenal ulcer].

Using a technique adapted from the intragastric titration method of Fordtran and Walsh, food-stimulated acid secretion, gastrin release and gastric emptying have been investigated before and after proximal vagotomy in 11 duodenal ulcer patients. Vagal denervation of the proximal stomach resulted in (i) a 40 p. 100 decrease in acid secretion in response to a protein meal; this response was of the same magnitude as the reduction in pentagastrin-stimulated acid output, (ii) a marked increase in food-induced gastrin release, suggesting a relationship between antral gastrin release and fundal vagal innervation since antral pH remained constant and the amount of protein and the distension volume within the antrum were the same as before proximal vagotomy, (iii) a slowing down of the initial phase of gastric emptying of the liquid protein meal in 5 patients, a slight acceleration in 4 and no change in 2. The clinical relevance of these findings is discussed.