These three papers present studies on
gastrin. The first paper describes a method of
biological assay using the rat. The second paper demonstrates that the highest concentration of
gastrin-like activity occurs in the
antral mucosa, with a clear gradient of concentration of activity down the gut. However, it is to be noted that the total amount of extractable activity is greatest in the duodenum, although the concentration there is less than in the antrum. No activity was detected in the pancreas. The third paper studies the contents of
gastrin-like activity in patients with
duodenal ulcer and demonstrates higher figures when
stenosis is present. Patients with benign
gastric ulcer and carcinomata showed results equal to or greater than in those with the average uncomplicated
duodenal ulcer. It was noted that two patients with dilated antra both had very low total
gastrin-like activity. There was no correlation between total activity and maximal
histamine-stimulated output of
acid. There was, however, a positive correlation between the
insulin-stimulated
acid secretion and the total
gastrin-like activity in the cases of uncomplicated
duodenal ulcers. The clinical studies are still tentative in view of the several variables present, but it seems likely that they will in due course clarify the role of
gastrin in the
ulcer problem.