Inhibitory Effect of Galanin on Basal and Pentagastrin-Stimulated Gastric Acid Secretion in Rats

Abstract

The dose-dependent effects of galanin on basal and pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion in pentobarbital-anesthetized rats were examined. Intravenous infusion of galanin at doses of 0.31, 0.62, 1.25, 1.87, 3.11, and 6.22 nmol/kg-1/h-1 into pentagastrin-stimulated rats produced a diminution in gastric acid secretion which was maximal (54.7%) at the level of the 1.87 nmol/kg-1/h-1 dose. Furthermore, the effect was biphasic, since both lower and higher doses of peptide were less effective. At the optimum concentration of 1.87 nmol/kg-1/h-1 galanin also inhibited basal gastric acid secretion. We conclude that endogenous galanin might be involved in the physiologic regulation of gastric acid secretion.