Family Studies of Hypergastrinemic, Hyperpepsinogenemic I Duodenal Ulcer

doi:10.1059/0003-4819-95-4-421

Family Studies of Hypergastrinemic, Hyperpepsinogenemic I Duodenal Ulcer

I. L. TAYLOR, M.D., Ph.D.;
J. CALAM, M.D.;
J. I. ROTTER, M.D.;
C. VAILLANT, Ph.D.;
I. M. SAMLOFF, M.D.;
A. COOK, M.D.;
E. SIMKIN, M.D.; and
G. J. DOCKRAY, Ph.D.

Liverpool
, England; and
Torrance, Sepulveda, and Los Angeles, California

Abstract

Antral G-cell hyperfunction is a rare cause of hypergastrinemia, hyperchlorhydria, and duodenal ulcer disease. We found evidence for a familial basis for this disorder. The probands were two young men with aggressive duodenal ulcer who had basal and postprandial hypergastrinemia, hyperpepsinogenemia I, and basal and pentagastrin-stimulated hyperchlorhydria. All characteristics returned to normal after antrectomy and vagotomy. Antral gastrin concentrations and quantitative G-cell counts were normal, indicating hyperfunction of G-cells rather than hyperplasia. Four of 10 first-degree relatives of the two patients shared with them the combination of postprandial hypergastrinemia and hyperpepsinogenemia I. The aggregation of these abnormalities in two families, each identified by a proband with hypergastrinemic, hyperpepsinogenemic I duodenal ulcer, suggests that antral G-cell hyperfunction may have a genetic basis.

Article and Author Information

▸From the Department of Physiology, Liverpool University, Liverpool, England; the Divisions of Medical Genetics and Gastroenterology, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, the Division of Gastroenterology, Sepulveda Veterans Administration Medical Center, Sepulveda, and the Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California.
Grant support: by grants from the Medical Research Council and grant AM 17328 (Peptic Ulcer Center), clinical investigator award AM 00523 (to Dr. Rotter), and research grant AM 13233 from the National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases.
▸Requests for reprints should be addressed to I.L. Taylor, M.D.; Division of Gastroenterology, Sepulveda Veterans Administration Hospital; Sepulveda, CA 91343.