PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Caldara, R
AU  - Barbieri, C
AU  - Piepoli, V
AU  - Borzio, M
AU  - Masci, E
TI  - Effect of L-dopa with and without inhibition of extra cerebral dopa decarboxylase on gastric acid secretion and gastrin release in man.
AID  - 10.1136/gut.26.10.1014
DP  - 1985 Oct 01
TA  - Gut
PG  - 1014--1017
VI  - 26
IP  - 10
4099  - http://gut.bmj.com/content/26/10/1014.short
4100  - http://gut.bmj.com/content/26/10/1014.full
SO  - Gut1985 Oct 01; 26
AB  - The present study was undertaken to investigate the possibility that central nervous system monoaminergic pathways may play a role in the control of gastric acid and gastrin secretion in man. Submaximal pentagastrin stimulated (0.25 micrograms/kg/h) gastric acid secretion, as well as basal gastrin concentrations were studied in two groups of subjects. The first group received oral administration of placebo and the catecholamine precursor L-dopa (500 mg); the second group was treated with placebo and the association of L-dopa (100 mg) plus carbidopa (35 mg) after pretreatment with carbidopa (50 mg every six hours for four doses), a schedule which is known to increase brain catecholamine concentrations. In comparison with placebo, stimulated gastric acid secretion was reduced by L-dopa alone, whereas was not modified by L-dopa plus carbidopa. Basal gastrin concentrations were increased after L-dopa and after L-dopa plus carbidopa. These data show that basal gastrin concentration is raised by central catecholamine augmentation; but gastric acid secretion seems to be influenced by changes of peripheral catecholamine concentrations. It is suggested that dopamine and perhaps noradrenaline, but not adrenaline, are important in these effects.