Effect of insulin on acid and pepsin secretion in vagotomized and non-vagotomized patients already stimulated by pentagastrin.

Abstract

The effects of insulin on acid and pepsin secretion were studied in 16 non-vagotomized patients and 14 completely vagotomized patients, during the continuous intravenous infusion of pentagastrin (‘Peptavlon ICI’). In non-vagotomized patients, insulin did not alter the acid response to pentagastrin, whereas it strongly stimulated pepsin secretion. In contrast, insulin inhibited acid and pepsin secretion in vagotomized patients. The data presented suggest that after vagotomy, the inhibitory effect of insulin on acid secretion may determine the pattern of acid response during an insulin test.