Elevated plasma levels of noradrenaline in duodenal ulcer

The changes in plasma catecholamine and gastrin concentrations and gastric acid secretion in response to modified sham feeding were investigated in 7 duodenal ulcer (DU) patients before and 6 weeks after highly selective vagotomy (HSV). Both basal and peak acid secretion in response to modified sham feeding were significantly reduced by HSV. Basal plasma noradrenaline concentrations were elevated in DU patients but fell to normal values after HSV. Plasma adrenaline concentrations were within the normal range and did not change after HSV. Basal gastrin concentrations were significantly higher after HSV than before. Modified sham feeding caused no significant changes in plasma catecholamine and gastrin concentrations either pre‐ or postoperatively. It is concluded that noradrenaline is involved in, or reflects, DU disease.