Pentagastrin-Stimulated Incorporation of 14 C-Orotic Acid into RNA of Gastric and Duodenal Mucosa

Summary

Fasted rats were injected 3 times over a 24 hr period with either pentagastrin, saline or histamine. ¹⁴C-Orotic acid was injected 1 hr prior to sacrifice. The incorporation of orotic acid into phenol extracted RNA was determined for gastric and duodenal mucosa and the liver. Pentagastrin injected animals incorporated 3 times as much orotic acid into RNA of the gastric and twice as much into RNA of the duodenal mucosa when compared to saline or histamine injected controls. Incorporation of orotic acid into liver RNA was not affected by pentagastrin.

We conclude that pentagastrin stimulates the incorporation of orotic acid into mucosal RNA of the upper gastrointestinal tract and that is probably indicative of induction of RNA synthesis. These findings support the current evidence and hypothesis (3) that gastrin is a trophic hormone for gastric and duodenal mucosa.