Gastrin Stimulation Research Articles

Gastrin effects on isolated rat enterochromaffin-like cells following long-term hypergastrinaemia in vivo

The enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells play an important role in the regulation of gastric acid secretion. They respond to gastrin by a prompt increase in histamine secretion, an effect which is mediated by the CCK- B/gastrin receptor acting through the IP 3/DAG pathway. In the rat, long-term treatment with acid secretion inhibitors induces hypergastrinaemia which, in turn, results in ECL cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia. The aim of the present study was to evaluate various functional parameters in acutely isolated rat ECL cells, following long-term hypergastrinaemia in vivo. Rats were treated with vehicle or a supramaximal daily dose of omeprazole for more than 10 weeks to ensure ECL cell hyperplasia. ECL cells were isolated from vehicle-treated animals and 24, 72 and 120 h after the last dose of omeprazole. The functional activity of the acutely isolated ECL cells was determined by measuring gastrin-and forskolin-induced histamine secretion. Changes in cytosolic free calcium upon gastrin stimulation were monitored by digital video imaging. ECL cells successively regained their ability to respond to gastrin following long-term hypergastrinaemia, reaching close to vehicle-treated levels 120 h after the last dose of omeprazole. In the rat, the response pattern of the ECL cells appears to normalise in parallel with the normalisation of plasma gastrin levels.

Src-family Tyrosine Kinases in Activation of ERK-1 and p85/p110-phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase by G/CCKBReceptors

We have analyzed in Chinese hamster ovary cells the upstream mediators by which the G protein-coupled receptor, gastrin/CCKB, activates the extracellular-regulated kinases (ERKs) and p85/p110-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) pathways. Overexpression of an inhibitory mutant of Shc completely blocked gastrin-stimulated Shc.Grb2 complex formation but partially inhibited ERK-1 activation by this peptide. Expression of Csk, which inactivates Src-family kinases, totally inhibited gastrin-induced Src-like activity detected in anti-Src and anti-Shc precipitates but diminished by 50% Shc phosphorylation and ERK-1 activation. We observed a rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and an increase in Src-like kinase activity in anti-IRS-1 immunoprecipitates from gastrin-stimulated cells, suggesting that IRS-1 may be a direct substrate of Src. This hypothesis was supported by the inhibition of gastrin-induced Src. IRS-1 complex formation and IRS-1 phosphorylation in Csk-transfected cells. In addition, the increase in PI 3-kinase activity measured in anti-p85 or anti-IRS-1 precipitates following gastrin stimulation was abolished by Csk. Our results demonstrate the existence of two mechanisms in gastrin-mediated ERKs activation. One requires Shc phosphorylation by Src-family kinases, and the other one is independent of these two proteins. They also indicate that tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 by Src-family kinases could lead to the recruitment and the activation of the p85/p110-PI 3-kinase in response to gastrin.

Reversibility of cholecystokinin-B/gastrin receptor blockade: a study of the gastrin-ECL cell axis in the rat.

Gastrin acts via cholecystokinin-B/gastrin receptors to control histamine- and chromogranin A-producing ECL cells, which constitute the quantitatively predominant endocrine cell population in the acid-producing part of the rat stomach. Cholecystokinin-B receptor blockade is known to suppress the activity of ECL cells and to prevent their ability to respond to gastrin stimulation. The present study examines the reversibility of long-standing cholecystokinin-B receptor blockade of ECL cells. YM022, a potent and selective cholecystokinin-B receptor antagonist, was administered in a maximally effective dose by continuous subcutaneous infusion for 4 weeks (via osmotic minipumps). The resulting receptor blockade was manifested in elevated serum gastrin concentration (due to the ensuing acid inhibition), while the serum pancreastatin concentration, oxyntic mucosal histidine decarboxylase activity, histidine decarboxylase- and chromogranin A- mRNA levels and histamine and pancreastatin concentrations were lowered. After withdrawal of YM022, all these parameters returned to normal after varying lengths of time. The serum gastrin concentration and the oxyntic mucosal histidine decarboxylase activity returned to normal within a week after termination of treatment. The serum pancreastatin concentration and the mucosal histidine decarboxylase- and chromogranin A-mRNA levels returned to normal within 2 weeks of drug withdrawal. The mucosal pancreastatin and histamine concentrations remained unchanged for about a week before gradually returning to control levels within the next two weeks. Hence, the various effects of cholecystokinin-B receptor blockade of the ECL cells are fully reversible within 1-3 weeks of drug withdrawal.

Gastropyeloplasty: a swine model

Objectives. Struvite calculus formation requires an alkaline urinary pH. An acidic urinary pH will dissolve struvite calculi and prevent recurrent struvite stone formation. Long-term urinary acidification has been unsuccessful. We sought to determine whether a gastric patch (with viable parietal cells) anastomosed to the renal pelvis could create an acidic urinary milieu. Methods. A vascularized stomach patch (from the greater curvature) was anastomosed to the left renal pelvis in 15 female pigs. The right kidney was used as a control. The first 6 pigs were used to refine the surgical technique. The remaining 9 pigs were subjected to a formal gastropyeloplasty and followed up for 4 weeks. Urine was collected before and after stimulation with pentagastrin. Urine pH was measured from both kidneys in response to gastrin stimulation and oral intake. The kidneys, ureters, and bladders were examined for gross changes and histologic review. Results. The 9 test animals had more acidic urine in the control kidney than in the gastropyeloplasty kidney. Pentagastrin had no significant impact on urinary pH. Hydroureteronephrosis and a concentrating defect were noted in the treated kidney. Histologic review revealed smooth muscle hyperplasia of the left ureter and viable parietal cells in the stomach patch. Conclusions. An animal model was developed to transfer a gastric patch to the renal pelvis. Hydronephrosis and ureteral dilation were associated with this gastric patch. We were unable to acidify the urine despite viable parietal cells in the transposed stomach segment. Further refinements of this concept may be successful in acidifying urine in the hope of preventing recurrent struvite nephrolithiasis.

Concurrent elevation of fundic somatostatin prevents gastrin stimulation by GRP.

Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) can stimulate both gastrin and somatostatin (SOM) secretion, but, as gastrin increases SOM and SOM in turn inhibits gastrin, the overall endpoint in terms of gastrin output is variable. To examine the mechanisms involved, we compared the effects of GRP on gastrin secretion in normal sheep and sheep chronically immunized against SOM. In the normal animal, GRP had no effect on either plasma gastrin or SOM. However, in sheep immunized against SOM, GRP stimulated gastrin secretion, suggesting that the concurrent stimulation of SOM prevents the increase in gastrin secretion. To determine the local source of SOM, GRP was then infused into nonimmunized sheep with cannulas draining blood from the fundus and antrum. GRP stimulated fundic SOM output but inhibited antral SOM and gastrin secretion, demonstrating that the fundus was the source of the SOM. Because cholinergic interactions have a major influence on the effects of GRP, a cholinergic stimulus was administered, and we found that the responses were different: SOM output was inhibited in both the antrum and fundus, and antral gastrin secretion was increased. The present study demonstrates two further instances of the differential regulation of SOM from the antrum and fundus. GRP fails to stimulate gastrin because of an increase in fundic SOM, whereas gastrin levels increase following a cholinergic stimulus because of inhibition of both antral and fundic SOM secretion.

Effects of reserpine on ECL-cell ultrastructure and histamine compartmentalization in the rat stomach.

The histamine-storing ECL cells in the stomach play a key role in the control of acid secretion. They contain granules, secretory vesicles and microvesicles, and sustained gastrin stimulation results in the additional formation of vacuoles and lipofuscin bodies. The cells are rich in the vesicle monoamine transporter type-2 (VMAT-2), which can be inhibited by reserpine. The present study examines the effect of reserpine on ECL-cell ultrastructure and histamine compartmentalization. Rats received reserpine and/or gastrin. Reserpine was given twice by the intraperitoneal route (25 mg/kg once daily). Gastrin-17 was given by subcutaneous infusion (5 nmol/kg/h), starting at the time of the first reserpine injection and continuing for 4 days when the rats were killed. At this stage, histamine in the oxyntic mucosa was unaffected by reserpine but elevated by gastrin. Immunocytochemical analysis (confocal microscopy) showed ECL-cell histamine in control and gastrin-treated rats to be localized in cytoplasmic organelles (e.g., secretory vesicles). After treatment with reserpine alone or reserpine+gastrin, ECL-cell histamine occurred mainly in the cytosol. Planimetric analysis (electron microscopy) of ECL cells showed reserpine to increase the number, size and volume density of the granules and to reduce the size and volume density of the secretory vesicles. Gastrin reduced the number and volume density of granules and secretory vesicles, increased the number and volume density of microvesicles and caused vacuoles and lipofuscin bodies to appear. Reserpine+gastrin increased the number, volume density and size of the granules. Reserpine prevented the effects of gastrin on secretory vesicles, vacuoles and microvesicles, but did not prevent the development of lipofuscin. Our findings are in line with the views: (1) that preformed cytosolic histamine is taken up by granules/secretory vesicles via VMAT-2, that histamine is instrumental in the transformation of granules into secretory vesicles and in their consequent enlargement and (2) that vacuoles are formed by the fusion of large secretory vesicles.

Analysis of factors associated with long-term (five or more years) cure in patients undergoing operation for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

Background: Only 30% to 40% of patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) undergoing operation with curative intent have biochemical cures. The purpose of this analysis was to identify perioperative factors associated with long-term (≥5 years) biochemical cures. Methods: From December 1981 to September 1997, 128 patients with potentially curable ZES underwent 152 abdominal explorations with resection of all identifiable disease. Of these, 31 outcomes were identified with documented cures at ≥5 years from operation and were compared with outcomes of 110 patients who were not cured. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed. Results: The results of a normal immediate postoperative fasting serum gastrin and secretin stimulation test were significantly and independently correlated with 5-year cure ( P 2 = .005 and .0099, respectively). A diagnosis of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 was significantly inversely correlated with cure on univariate analysis ( P 2 = .027). Gender, age, duration of symptoms, results of diagnostic tests, or results of imaging studies did not correlate with outcome. Conclusions: All patients with sporadic potentially curable ZES should undergo exploration because outcome is not associated with preoperative tests. Only 5% of patients with ZES and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 were cured at 5 years. A normal fasting serum gastrin or secretin stimulation value value immediately postoperatively provides important prognostic information. (Surgery 1998;124:1160-6.)

Sp1 and CREB Mediate Gastrin-dependent Regulation of Chromogranin A Promoter Activity in Gastric Carcinoma Cells

Chromogranin A (CgA) is a multifunctional acidic protein that in the stomach is expressed predominantly in enterochromaffin-like cells (ECL cells) where it is regulated by gastrin. In order to investigate the transcriptional response of the mouse CgA (mCgA) promoter to gastrin stimulation, we studied a 4.8-kilobase mCgA promoter-luciferase reporter gene construct in transiently transfected AGS-B cells. 5'-Deletion analysis and scanning mutagenesis of mCgA 5'-flanking DNA showed that a Sp1/Egr-1 site spanning -88 to -77 base pairs (bp) and a cyclic AMP-responsive element (CRE) at -71 to -64 bp are essential for gastrin-dependent mCgA transactivation. Gastrin stimulation increased cellular Sp1 protein levels and Sp1-binding to the mCgA -88 to -77 bp element, as well as binding of CREB to its consensus motif at -71 to -64 bp. Gastrin also stimulated CREB Ser-133 phosphorylation, and abundance of cellular CREB protein levels. Overexpression of either Sp1 or phosphorylated CREB transactivated the mCgA promoter dose dependently, while coexpression of both transcription factors resulted in an additive mCgA promoter response. mCgA -92 to -64 bp, comprising the Sp1/Egr-1 site and the CRE motif, conferred gastrin responsiveness to a heterologous thymidine kinase promoter system, and therefore functions as a "true" enhancer element. This report demonstrates that Sp1 and CREB mediate CCK-B/gastrin receptor-dependent gene regulation, and that the effect of gastrin on the CgA gene is brought about by cooperative action of both transcription factors.

H. pylori stimulates gastrin release from canine antral cells in primary culture.

Patients chronically infected with Helicobacter pylori are known to have hypergastrinemia. Previous studies have demonstrated the stimulation of gastrin from isolated G cells by monocytes and cytokines. The aim of this study was to determine if H. pylori can directly stimulate gastrin secretion. The secretion of gastrin from canine G cells in 48-h primary cultures was investigated using either live H. pylori bacteria or various bacterial extracts from three well-characterized strains. Whole bacterial sonic extracts and water-extracted surface proteins, but not PBS extracts, from strains 43579 (CagA+/VacA+), 60190 (CagA+/VacA+), and 60190:v1 (CagA+/VacA-) significantly stimulated gastrin release. Controls demonstrated that gastrin stimulation by the sonic extracts was not due to a direct toxic effect on G cells. We conclude that H. pylori produces a soluble factor(s), which can directly stimulate gastrin release in enriched canine G cell cultures. This stimulatory effect may play an important role in the H. pylori-associated hypergastrinemia and subsequent development of peptic ulcer disease.

Gastrin effects on isolated rat enterochromaffin-like cells following long-term hypergastrinaemia in vivo

The enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells play an important role in the regulation of gastric acid secretion. They respond to gastrin by a prompt increase in histamine secretion, an effect which is mediated by the CCK-(B)/gastrin receptor acting through the IP(3)/DAG pathway. In the rat, long-term treatment with acid secretion inhibitors induces hypergastrinaemia which, in turn, results in ECL cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia. The aim of the present study was to evaluate various functional parameters in acutely isolated rat ECL cells, following long-term hypergastrinaemia in vivo. Rats were treated with vehicle or a supramaximal daily dose of omeprazole for more than 10 weeks to ensure ECL cell hyperplasia. ECL cells were isolated from vehicle-treated animals and 24, 72 and 120 h after the last dose of omeprazole. The functional activity of the acutely isolated ECL cells was determined by measuring gastrin-and forskolin-induced histamine secretion. Changes in cytosolic free calcium upon gastrin stimulation were monitored by digital video imaging. ECL cells successively regained their ability to respond to gastrin following long-term hypergastrinaemia, reaching close to vehicle-treated levels 120 h after the last dose of omeprazole. In the rat, the response pattern of the ECL cells appears to normalise in parallel with the normalisation of plasma gastrin levels.

ECL cells of the rat stomach: development of lipofuscin in response to sustained gastrin stimulation.

Ageing cells, especially post-mitotic cells, are known to accumulate pigments, i.e. highly electron-dense material, referred to as ceroid or lipofuscin. This material is formed as a consequence of autophagocytosis and peroxidation of the products undergoing degradation. The present study describes the development of lipofuscin in the ECL cells of the rat stomach. These cells produce and secrete histamine in response to gastrin. They are rich in secretory vesicles, which fuse to form vacuoles in hypergastrinaemic rats. Hypergastrinaemia was induced by continuous infusion of human Leu15-gastrin-17 for 6 days or by daily treatment with omeprazole for 10 weeks. Either treatment caused both vacuoles and lipofuscin bodies to appear in large numbers; the vacuoles disappeared promptly after interruption of the hypergastrinaemia, whereas the lipofuscin bodies remained. Antrectomy-evoked hypogastrinaemia was associated with a reduced number and volume density of lipofuscin bodies. Treatment with alpha-fluoromethylhistidine, an irreversible inhibitor of the histamine-forming enzyme, resulted in depletion of ECL-cell histamine and was found to prevent the omeprazole-evoked formation of vacuoles and lipofuscin. The numbers of both vacuoles and lipofuscin bodies were well-correlated with the serum gastrin concentration, suggesting that gastrin stimulates the development not only of vacuoles but also of lipofuscin, perhaps through enhanced autophagocytosis and/or oxidative stress. Thus, lipofuscin bodies may develop from vacuoles, and both vacuoles and lipofuscin bodies may reflect the efforts of overstimulated ECL cells to cope with the excessive formation of secretory products.

Cholecystokinin (CCK) regulates somatostatin secretion through both the CCK-A and CCK-B/gastrin receptors in sheep.

1. Cholecystokinin (CCK) and gastrin both stimulate gastric somatostatin (SOM) secretion in vitro and thus have the potential to modulate their direct effects on the parietal cell. However, the relative potencies and the mechanisms of action of CCK and gastrin on SOM secretion in vivo have not been determined. 2. The objectives of the present study were to compare the in vivo potencies of the sulphated(s) and non-sulphated (ns) forms of gastrin heptadecapeptide (G-17) and CCK octapeptide (CCK-8) on SOM secretion, and to determine the nature of the receptors involved by repeating the studies in the presence of the CCK-A and CCK-B/gastrin receptor antagonists L-364,718 and L-365,260, respectively. All experiments were performed in the chronically cannulated sheep. 3. Dose-response experiments revealed the following potencies for SOM secretion: G-17s = CCK-8s > G-17 ns >> CCK-8ns. However, based on the plasma levels achieved and a higher metabolic clearance rate (MCR) for CCK, CCK-8s was the most potent. 4. Both the CCK-A and CCK-B/gastrin receptor antagonists suppressed CCK-8s-stimulated SOM output. In contrast, G-17s-stimulated SOM output was inhibited by only the CCK-B/gastrin receptor antagonist. 5. Both receptor antagonists increased basal plasma gastrin and CCK levels. 6. The predominant circulating SOM molecular form after both gastrin and CCK stimulation was SOM-14. 7. In conclusion, the sulphated forms of CCK and gastrin are more potent than the non-sulphated forms. Despite sharing a common biologically active carboxy terminus, CCK stimulates SOM secretion by both the CCK-A and CCK-B/gastrin receptors, while gastrin acts via the CCK-B/gastrin receptor alone. These findings explain in part why CCK is a net inhibitor of gastric acid secretion in vivo.

Characterization of a beta 3-adrenoceptor stimulating gastrin and somatostatin secretions in rat antrum.

The beta 3-adrenoceptor (beta 3-AR) agonist SR-58611A {ethyl-[(7s)-7-[[(2R)-2-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxyethyl]amino]5, 6,7,8-tetrahydronaphth-2-yl]oxyacetate hydrochloride} stimulated somatostatin and gastrin releases in isolated rat gastric antral epithelial cells. Stimulation was a concentration-dependent process with 50% effective concentrations of 2.7 +/- 1.1 and 3.8 +/- 1.9 nM compared with 209 +/- 71 and 230 +/- 51 nM for isoproterenol, respectively. It was inhibited by selective beta-AR antagonists with the following rank order of potency: SR-59230A 3-(2-ethylphenoxy)1-[(1S)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphth- 1-ylamino]-(2S)-2-propranol oxalate; beta 3-AR antagonist > ICI-118551[erythro-(+/-)-1-(7-methylindan-4-yloxy)-3- isopropylaminobutan-2-ol-hydrochloride; beta 2-AR antagonist > CGP-20712A[(+/-)-[2-(3-carbarmoyl-4-hydroxyphenoxy)-et hyl- amino]-3-[4 (1-methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-2-imidazolyl)-phenoxy]- 2-propranol; beta 1-AR antagonist]. Furthermore, specific binding of 125I-cyanopindolol to the isolated cells was demonstrated and was displaced by the beta-AR antagonists according to the same rank order of potency and with apparent dissociation constants consistent with the 50% inhibitory concentrations for SR-58611A-stimulated somatostatin and gastrin releases. In addition, the presence of beta 3-AR mRNA was detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. These findings provide the first evidence for a gastric beta 3-AR mediating catecholamine stimulation of gastrin and somatostatin releases from antral cells.

Gastrin regulates the human histidine decarboxylase promoter through an AP-1-dependent mechanism.

The histidine decarboxylase (HDC) gene is regulated transcriptionally by gastrin and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) through a protein kinase C (PKC)-related pathway. To determine the role of AP-1 (fos/jun) in the regulation of the HDC promoter, gastric cancer (AGS-B) cells stably expressing the cholecystokinin-B/ gastrin receptor and the 1.8-kb human (h) HDC-luciferase (luc) construct were cotransfected with constructs expressing c-fos and c-jun. Overexpression of c-fos and c-jun activated the HDC promoter in a dose-dependent fashion in 1.8-kb hHDC-luc/AGS-B cells as well as in transfected F9 embryonal carcinoma cells, which lack endogenous AP-1 activity. PMA was unable to activate the HDC promoter in F9 cells, which were not transfected with c-fos and c-jun. Gastrin stimulation increased c-fos and c-jun mRNA abundance and AP-1-dependent transcriptional activity, as assessed by a reporter construct in which the CAT reporter gene is under the control of a 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate response element multimer. Gastrin-stimulated HDC promoter activity was blocked by transfection of c-fos antisense and dominant negative c-jun expression constructs. Finally, overexpression of c-fos and c-jun activated the hHDC promoter through a downstream cis-acting element (gastrin response element), which does not bind AP-1. In conclusion, activation of AP-1 is essential for gastrin-stimulated HDC transcription, but the mechanism appears to be indirect.

Gastrin Stimulates Tyrosine Phosphorylation of Insulin Receptor Substrate 1 and Its Association with Grb2 and the Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase

The growth-promoting effects of gastrin on normal and neoplastic gastrointestinal tissues have been shown to be mediated by the gastrin/CCKB receptor, which belongs to the family of G protein-coupled receptors. However, the downstream signaling pathways activated by gastrin are not well characterized. In the present study, we demonstrate that gastrin stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), the major cytoplasmic substrate of the insulin receptor. The gastrin-induced phosphorylation of IRS-1 was rapid and transient, occurring within 30 s of treatment and diminishing thereafter. IRS-1 binds several proteins containing Src homology 2 domains through its multiple tyrosine phosphorylation sites. Following gastrin stimulation, we observed a time- and dose-dependent association of IRS-1 with the p85 regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase). In addition, activation of PI 3-kinase was detected in anti-IRS-1 immunoprecipitates from gastrin-treated cells, suggesting that tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1, which leads to the rapid recruitment of p85, might be one mechanism used by gastrin to activate PI 3-kinase. We have previously reported that tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc and its association with the Grb2-Sos complex may contribute to the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway by gastrin. We report here that Grb2 also interacts with tyrosine-phosphorylated IRS-1 in response to gastrin. Taken together, our results suggest that IRS-1 may serve as a converging target in the signaling pathways stimulated by receptors that belong to different families, such as the gastrin/CCKB G protein-coupled receptor and the insulin receptor.

Gastrin-evoked secretion of pancreastatin and histamine from ECL cells and of acid from parietal cells in isolated, vascularly perfused rat stomach. Effects of isobutyl methylxanthin and α-fluoromethylhistidine

The ECL cells in the rat stomach release pancreastatin and histamine in response to gastrin stimulation. The present study compares the release of pancreastatin and histamine from the ECL cells and the secretion of acid from the parietal cells in response to gastrin, and examines how a markedly reduced histamine content in the ECL cells will affect the gastrin-evoked release of pancreastatin and the secretion of gastric acid. Totally isolated, vascularly perfused stomachs were prepared from fasted rats. Some of the rats had been pre-treated for 24 h with (α-fluoromethylhistidine (α-FMH), resulting in 80% depletion of oxyntic mucosal histamine (mainly ECL-cell histamine). The stomachs were perfused with rat gastrin-17, α-FMH, isobutyl methylxanthine (IBMX), or vehicle in various combinations for 8 h. The venous outflow was collected (30-min samples) for determination of histamine and pancreastatin-like immunoreactivity (LI) and the gastric luminal outflow was collected for determination of H +. Gastrin raised the outflow of pancreastatin-LI and histamine but did not raise the acid output unless IBMX was added. The outflow of pancreastatin-LI and histamine was greater after gastrin + IBMX (at least during the first 4-h period) than after gastrin alone. α-FMH reduced gastrin-evoked histamine outflow but did not affect gastrin-evoked pancreastatin-LI outflow. Also the acid output in response to gastrin + IBMX was much reduced by α-FMH. In conclusion, increased levels of intracellular cAMP enhanced the gastrin-evoked release of pancreastatin-LI and histamine from the ECL cells and made it possible for histamine, released from the ECL cells, to cause acid secretion from the parietal cells. ECL-cell histamine depletion reduced the gastrin-evoked acid secretion; it did not affect the gastrin-evoked release of pancreastatin-LI.

Gastrin-evoked secretion of pancreastatin and histamine from ECL cells and of acid from parietal cells in isolated, vascularly perfused rat stomach. Effects of isobutyl methylxanthin and α-fluoromethylhistidine

The ECL cells in the rat stomach release pancreastatin and histamine in response to gastrin stimulation. The present study compares the release of pancreastatin and histamine from the ECL cells and the secretion of acid from the parietal cells in response to gastrin, and examines how a markedly reduced histamine content in the ECL cells will affect the gastrin-evoked release of pancreastatin and the secretion of gastric acid. Totally isolated, vascularly perfused stomachs were prepared from fasted rats. Some of the rats had been pre-treated for 24 h with (α-fluoromethylhistidine (α-FMH), resulting in 80% depletion of oxyntic mucosal histamine (mainly ECL-cell histamine). The stomachs were perfused with rat gastrin-17, α-FMH, isobutyl methylxanthine (IBMX), or vehicle in various combinations for 8 h. The venous outflow was collected (30-min samples) for determination of histamine and pancreastatin-like immunoreactivity (LI) and the gastric luminal outflow was collected for determination of H+. Gastrin raised the outflow of pancreastatin-LI and histamine but did not raise the acid output unless IBMX was added. The outflow of pancreastatin-LI and histamine was greater after gastrin + IBMX (at least during the first 4-h period) than after gastrin alone. α-FMH reduced gastrin-evoked histamine outflow but did not affect gastrin-evoked pancreastatin-LI outflow. Also the acid output in response to gastrin + IBMX was much reduced by α-FMH. In conclusion, increased levels of intracellular cAMP enhanced the gastrin-evoked release of pancreastatin-LI and histamine from the ECL cells and made it possible for histamine, released from the ECL cells, to cause acid secretion from the parietal cells. ECL-cell histamine depletion reduced the gastrin-evoked acid secretion; it did not affect the gastrin-evoked release of pancreastatin-LI.

The fade of gastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion in the rat is due to depletion of releasable mucosal histamine.

The present study examines the applicability of the isolated, acid-secreting vascularly perfused rat stomach for long-term physiological and pharmacological studies. The model was used to study the fade of acid secretion during gastrin stimulation. The stomachs were stimulated by exogenous gastrin or histamine alone or in succession. Acid secretion and venous histamine concentrations were measured. Gastrin and histamine potently stimulated acid output, histamine-stimulated acid secretion was sustained for 300 min while gastrin-stimulated secretion peaked at 120 min and declined towards basal output at 300 min. Stomachs rendered tachyphylactic to gastrin could be re-stimulated by exogenous histamine. Venous histamine output during gastrin stimulation decreased in parallel to acid secretion. This, the acid-secreting, isolated vascularly perfused rat stomach can be used for physiological and pharmacological studies with histamine as stimulant for at least 300 min. The present results strongly indicate that the effect of gastrin on acid secretion is mediated by histamine, and that fade of acid secretion during stimulation with gastrin is due to depletion of releasable mucosal histamine.

Mononuclear cells and cytokines stimulate gastrin release from canine antral cells in primary culture.

Patients with Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis have an increased release of gastrin. The mechanisms by which H. pylori affects the endocrine cells are unclear. We have used primary cultures containing canine antral G cells to examine the effects of human blood mononuclear cells, purified monocytes and lymphocytes, recombinant cytokines, and NH4Cl on gastrin release. Mononuclear cells and purified monocytes in direct contact with G cells stimulated gastrin release dose dependently. Separating mononuclear cells from G cells by Transwell filters with 0.4-micron pore size still produced a significant increase of gastrin release. Three human recombinant cytokines, interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-2, but not interleukin-6 and interleukin-1 beta, each produced dose-dependent increases of gastrin stimulation. NH4Cl did not stimulate gastrin release. We conclude that mononuclear cells and purified monocytes prepared from human blood, as well as several cytokines, stimulate gastrin release from antral G cells. These factors may play an important role in the pathogenesis of H. pylori-associated hypergastrinemia.

Gastrin stimulation of histamine synthesis in enterochromaffin-like cells from rabbit fundic mucosa

This work aimed to investigate the molecular role of gastrin in histamine synthesis in isolated rabbit fundic mucosal cells enriched in enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells (37%). Gastrin stimulated histidine decarboxylase (HDC) activity by increasing the maximal velocity (Vmax) from 0.240 +/- 0.017 (basal value) to 0.332 +/- 0.012 pmol/mg protein/h and by decreasing the Michaelis-Menten constant value -Km; 73.90 +/- 2.2 vs. 93.42 +/- 4.32 microM (basal value)]. Pertussis toxin (PTX) (200 ng/ml) reduced the stimulation of HDC induced by 10 nM gastrin from 41.8 to 15.9%, whereas cholera toxin (CTX) (100 ng/ml) was without effect. Staurosporine and polymyxin B inhibited in a dose dependent manner the HDC activity stimulated by 10 nM gastrin. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA; 100 nM) decreased Vmax (0.558 +/- 0.021 pmol/ mg protein/h) but did not change the Km. Furthermore, cycloheximide (0.1-10 microM) inhibited the gastrin-induced stimulation of HDC activity, whereas actinomycin D (up to 10 microM) was without effect. Finally, incubation of cells with gastrin (10 microM) left the expression of HDC mRNA unchanged. We concluded that gastrin, acting through "gastrin/CCK-B type" receptors coupled to PTX-sensitive G protein, exerts a short-term regulation of histamine synthesis in gastric ECL cells by increasing both the affinity of HDC for L-histidine and the number of active enzyme molecules. This last event, related to protein kinase C activation, could be due to a translational or posttranslational mechanism.