Gastrin

Gastrin is a peptide hormone that plays an important role in the regulation of gastric secretion and motor activity of the gastrointestinal tract. It was first discovered in 1905 by physician Edward Schaumburger, who named it "gastrin" because of its direct connection to the stomach (from the Greek "gaster", meaning "stomach").

Gastrin is produced in certain cells called G cells, which are located in the upper part of the stomach and duodenum. It is released in response to various stimuli, such as the presence of food in the stomach, stretching of the stomach walls, as well as the presence of amino acids, calcium and some other substances.

The main function of gastrin is to stimulate the secretion of gastric juice. It increases the production of stomach acid, which helps break down food and improves digestion. Gastrin also stimulates the contraction of the stomach muscles, which helps mix food and move it through the gastrointestinal tract.

In addition, gastrin affects the growth and development of epithelial cells of the stomach and intestines. It promotes the regeneration of damaged cells and maintains the normal structure of the gastric mucosa.

Excessive gastrin secretion can lead to the development of various pathological conditions. For example, diseases associated with excess gastrin production, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndromes and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1, can cause excessive gastric acid production and peptic ulcers of the stomach and duodenum.

On the other hand, insufficient gastrin secretion can lead to decreased gastric acidity and disruption of normal food digestion.

Various methods may be used to diagnose various gastrin-related diseases, including measuring gastrin levels in the blood and performing endoscopic examinations of the stomach and duodenum.

In conclusion, gastrin plays an important role in the regulation of gastric secretion and motility of the gastrointestinal tract. Its proper functioning is necessary for normal digestion of food and maintaining a healthy gastrointestinal system.

Gastrin is a hormone that increases the level of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. If its level in the body is greatly reduced (but not towards zero), then problems with the gastrointestinal tract cannot be ruled out. Gastrin will also be produced when the stomach is stimulated by food; the signal for this is special hormones, which are also part of the gastrointestinal tract. The hormone is produced only by the parietal cells of the mucosa. The norm is approximately 17 pg/ml. In children, gastrin levels will be slightly lower. For men it is approximately 16.8-17, and for women it is only about 14-15.