Urinary gastrin output and serum gastrin in patients with liver cirrhosis. Urinary gastrin output in cirrhosis.

The aim of the present study was to examine the diurnal urinary gastrin output in cirrhotics and to clarify whether in patients with hepatorenal syndrome urinary gastrin output is reduced. Thirty-two cirrhotics and 25 age- and sex-matched, controls were studied. Cirrhotics were divided into 3 groups: (I: without ascites and normal serum creatinine; II: ascites and normal creatinine; III: ascites and increased creatinine). Mean fasting serum gastrin concentration was lower in the control group than in Group I, II (p < 0.01) or III (p < 0.001). In this latter group mean serum gastrin concentration was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than in the other two groups of cirrhotics. The mean 24 h urinary gastrin output was lower (p < 0.001) in Group III patients than in the other groups of subjects studied. Also in the controls urinary gastrin output was lower (p < 0.01) than in Groups I and II. These findings suggest that: a) in cirrhotics with normal serum creatinine the average serum gastrin levels over the course of the day are indeed higher than in normals and b) In cirrhotics with hepatorenal syndrome, impaired urinary gastrin output appears to contribute significantly to their hypergastrinemia.