Effects of low amine diet on gastric endocrine cell proliferation in the rat.

The effects of a liquid diet low in amines on gastrin cell and somatostatin cell functions were studied in the rat. Significant decreases in portal gastrin levels (44% at 5 days) were noted in animals maintained on a liquid diet (Vivonex). Refeeding solid rat chow resulted in a significant, but transient, hypergastrinemia. Portal somatostatin levels were significantly increased during ingestion of the liquid diet. With refeeding, portal somatostatin promptly returned to baseline values. Gastrin cell density decreased progressively during liquid diet ingestion (37% decline by Day 5). Antral somatostatin cell numbers were increased during this time period (86% versus controls). With solid chow refeeding, both gastrin cell and somatostatin cell densities returned to baseline.