CNS regulation of gastric and autonomic functions in dogs by gastrin-releasing peptide.

The central nervous system effects of canine gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) were studied on gastric acid secretion, emptying, blood flow, and the autonomic nervous system in conscious dogs. GRP injected into the third cerebral ventricle significantly (P less than 0.01) increased plasma epinephrine but not norepinephrine concentrations. GRP (0.1-1.0 nmol/kg) significantly decreased gastric acid secretion stimulated by an 8% peptone meal, delayed gastric emptying of the liquid peptone meal, and increased left gastric artery flow. Ganglionic blockade, truncal vagotomy, or adrenalectomy did not abolish the inhibitory effect of GRP on gastric acid secretion. However, ganglionic blockade or vagotomy abolished the GRP-induced inhibition of gastric emptying, and ganglionic blockade or adrenalectomy abolished the GRP-induced increases in left gastric artery flow and plasma epinephrine concentrations. An intravenous infusion of epinephrine that produced similar plasma concentrations of epinephrine that were observed after cerebroventricular injection of GRP mimicked the increase in left gastric artery flow induced by GRP. It is concluded that 1) GRP acts within the central nervous system to activate the sympathoadrenal axis, 2) GRP inhibits gastric emptying of a liquid meal by a vagally dependent mechanism and enhances left gastric artery flow by the release of epinephrine from the adrenal medulla, and 3) the pathway(s) that mediate the GRP-induced inhibition of gastric acid in the dog remain unknown.