Effects of gastrin, glutamine, and somatostatin on the in vitro growth of normal and malignant human gastric mucosal cells
M. P. Moyer, A. Armstrong, J. B. Aust, B. A. Levine and K. R. Sirinek
This study evaluated the dose-related trophic effects of glutamine,
gastrin, and somatostatin on the in vitro growth of human gastric cancer
cells and normal human gastric mucosal cells. Quadruplicate cell cultures
were seeded into growth medium with or without glutamine, gastrin, or
somatostatin. After 72 hours' incubation, cells were counted and their
numbers compared with those of controls. Glutamine and gastrin stimulated
the growth of both normal and malignant gastric mucosal cells. Compared
with normal cells, the malignant cells responded to these growth factors at
lower concentrations. Somatostatin enhanced growth of gastric cancer cells
at all concentrations and inhibited growth of normal cells at high
concentrations. Further studies on the responsiveness of gastric
adenocarcinoma to gastrointestinal tract hormones may elucidate mechanisms
of oncogenesis and suggest new therapeutic avenues for patients with
gastric cancer.
