Gastrin

Synonym

N/A

Tubes

Additional information

Info

This test measures the concentration of the hormone gastrin in the blood
Gastrin is a polypeptide hormone synthesized and stored in the antral G cells in stomach and to lesser degree in the islets of Langerhans in the pancrease
The function of gastrin includes:

Facilitate food digestion by triggering gastric acid secretion from parietal cells in the stomach
Stimulate release of

Clinical

Aids in the diagnosis of gastrinoma, or gastrin-secreting tumors as in Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
Aids in the differential diagnosis of gastric and duodenal ulcers
Assists in the diagnosis of pernicious anemia and G cell hyperplasia
Gastrin is the first-line test for determining whether a patient with active ulcer disease has a gastrinoma

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome occurs sporadically in 75% cases and 25% cases are associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia Type 1 (MEN 1)
Hypergastrinemia may clinically manifest as:

Additional information

Recent radioactive scans or radiation within 1 week before the test may interfere with test results
Gastrin levels fluctuate throughout the day but are lowest in the early morning and highest during the day
Related laboratory tests include:

Nl Result

Consult your laboratory for their normal ranges as these may vary somewhat from the ones listed below.

High Result

Conditions associated with increased gastrin levels include:

Factors causing false elevated levels of gastrin include:

Low Result

Conditions associated with decreased gastrin levels include:

References

Alvarez A et al. Gastrin induces leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions in vivo and contributes to the inflammation caused by Helicobacter pylori. FASEB J. 2006 Oct 2; [Epub ahead of print].
ARUP Laboratories®. Gastrin. [Homepage on the internet]©2007. Last accessed on September 27, 2007. Available at URL: http://www.aruplab.com/guides/ug/tests/0070075.jsp

eMedicine from WebMD®. Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome. [Homepage on the Internet] ©1996-2006. Last updated on July 5, 2006. Last accessed on September 27, 2007. Available at URL: http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic2437.htm
Koh TJ et al. Glycine-extended gastrin promotes the growth of lung cancer. Cancer Res. 2004 Jan 1;64(1):196-201.
Laboratory Corporation of America®. Gastrin, Serum. [Homepage on the internet]©2007. Last accessed on September 27, 2007. Available at URL: http://www.labcorp.com/datasets/labcorp/html/chapter/mono/sr002100.htm
Lu MZ et al. [Expression of gastrin and gastrin releasing peptide in patient's with gastric cancer by using tissue chip technique] [Article in Chinese]. Zhonghua Wei Chang Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2005 Mar;8(2):159-61
Richards ML et al. Regression of type II gastric carcinoids in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome after surgical excision of all gastrinomas. World J Surg. 2004 Jul;28(7):652-8. Epub 2004 Jun 16.
Schubert ML. Gastric secretion. Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2003 Nov;19(6):519-25.
Tocchi A et al. Clinical significance of serum gastrin levels in patients with colorectal cancer. Int J Biol Markers. 2004 Jan-Mar;19(1):46-51.
Wei JR et al. [Roles of bile and gastrin in the pathogenesis of childhood gastroesophageal reflux disease] [Article in Chinese]. Zhongguo Dang Dai Er Ke Za Zhi. 2006 Aug;8(4):287-90.