ROLE OF GASTRIN AND CHOLECYSTOKININ IN THE GROWTH-PROMOTING ACTION OF BOMBESIN ON THE GASTRODUODENAL MUCOSA AND THE PANCREAS

The effects of bombesin on the growth of the gastroduodenal mucosa and the pancreas have been examined in adult rats with intact or resected antrum and following administration of somatostatin or CCK-receptor antagonist L-364,718. The peptides were administered three times daily for 7 consecutive days, and then the animals were sacrificed and growth parameters (organ weight and RNA and DNA contents) were determined, and plasma gastrin and CCK were assayed. Compared with the control (saline) values, bombesin significantly stimulated the growth of the oxyntic and duodenal mucosa and the pancreas. These effects were partly reduced but not abolished by somatostatin, antrectomy and L-364,718, suggesting that bombesin may enhance the growth partly by releasing gastrin and CCK and partly by direct action on these tissues. © 1990.