Evidence Grade C — Moderate human evidence. 4073 published studies, 2154 human. 7 registered clinical trials.
Medically reviewed by a licensed medical professional
Pentagastrin (previously sold as Peptavlon) is a synthetic fragment of the gut hormone gastrin that was used to stimulate maximum stomach acid production for diagnostic testing. It has been withdrawn from most markets after being replaced by simpler blood tests and endoscopy. It is now primarily of historical interest.
Pentagastrin is also known by these brand and alternate names:
4,073 published studies: 2154 human, 1856 animal, 253 in-vitro, 108 reviews
Pentagastrin was previously marketed as Peptavlon (Wyeth) for diagnostic gastric acid secretion testing. The pentagastrin stimulation test involved injection followed by nasogastric aspiration and measurement of acid output over one hour. It was discontinued from most markets in the early 2000s.
The test has been replaced by fasting serum gastrin levels, the secretin stimulation test, and endoscopy with biopsy. Pentagastrin is of historical significance in gastroenterology but has no current clinical role in routine practice.
Pentagastrin activates the same receptor as natural gastrin on stomach acid-producing cells (parietal cells), triggering maximum acid secretion. By measuring the volume and acidity of stomach contents after a pentagastrin injection, clinicians could assess the functional capacity of the stomach lining. The ratio of baseline to stimulated acid output helped diagnose conditions such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (a gastrin-producing tumour).
Research suggests pentagastrin served decades of clinical use as the standard diagnostic tool for measuring stomach acid production capacity. The pentagastrin stimulation test has been replaced by fasting serum gastrin levels, the secretin stimulation test, and endoscopy with biopsy — less invasive approaches that do not require nasogastric tube insertion. Pentagastrin retains some research relevance as a panic provocation agent in psychiatric studies and in medullary thyroid carcinoma screening (via stimulated calcitonin testing). No active development programmes exist.
PeptideTrace tracks 7 registered clinical trials for Pentagastrin sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
A New Method for Determining Gastric Acid Output Using a Wireless Capsule
An Open, Randomized, Two Way Crossover Study Comparing the Effect of 20mg Esomeprazole Administered Orally and Intravenously as a 15 Minute Infusion on Basal and Pentagastrin-Stimulated Acid Output in Subjects With Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Open, Randomized, Two Way Crossover 40mg, Orally and Intravenously
Open, Randomized, Two Way Crossover Study Comparing the Effect of Esomeprazole Adminstered Orally and iv
Effect of Repeated Doses of YF476 on Stomach Acidity
Health Canada Market Authorisation
Pentagastrin is a synthetic pentapeptide (Boc-beta-Ala-Trp-Met-Asp-Phe-NH2), MW 767.87 Da. Contains C-terminal gastrin tetrapeptide (minimal active fragment). Previously marketed as Peptavlon for diagnostic gastric acid testing. Withdrawn from most markets. SC/IM 6 mcg/kg. Half-life ~10 minutes.
Research suggests activation of CCK2R (gastrin receptor, Gq-coupled) on parietal cells, ECL cells, chief cells. Stimulates H+/K+-ATPase and histamine release amplifying acid secretion. MAO reflects functional parietal cell mass; BAO/MAO >0.6 suggested ZE syndrome.
Previously marketed as Peptavlon (Wyeth). Pentagastrin stimulation test: SC 6 mcg/kg, nasogastric aspiration measuring acid output over 1 hour. Normal BAO 2-5 mEq/h; MAO 15-40 mEq/h. Replaced by fasting gastrin levels, secretin stimulation, and endoscopy. Discontinued early 2000s.
The information on this page is provided for educational and research reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions.
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This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your health.
