AJP - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, Vol 243, Issue 1 16-G20, Copyright © 1982 by American Physiological Society
Role of gastrin in gastrointestinal adaptation after small bowel resection
A. B. Dembinski and L. R. Johnson
Gastrin is a trophic hormone for the mucosa of the oxyntic gland area of
the stomach, the proximal small intestine, and the colon. It also has
trophic effects on the pancreas. All these tissues undergo hyperplasia to
some extent following distal small bowel resection. This study evaluates
the role of gastrin in postresectional hyperplasia by examining the growth
of these tissues in antrectomized rats following intestinal resection.
Antrectomy itself caused atrophy of the oxyntic gland mucosa, colonic
mucosa, and the pancreas but had no effect on ileal mucosa. Resection by
itself stimulated growth of all tissues and significantly increased serum
gastrin levels. After resection in antrectomized animals, all tissues
underwent an adaptational response. The increase in total DNA content after
resection in antrectomized rats was as great in all tissues, except the
colon, as it was in animals with intact antrums and normal gastrin levels.
These results indicate that gastrin plays no role in the postresectional
hyperplasia observed in the various tissues of the gastrointestinal tract.
