The role of the vagus in the gastrin response to a steak meal was investigated in patients with duodenal ulcer. Thirty patients were studied before and after vagal denervationoftheentire stomach (selective vagotomy and pyloroplasty). Basal and stimulated gastrin concentrations in serum, as determined by radio-immunoassay, were higher postoperatively (87 pre-/I I1 postopera-
tively (basal) and 2431341 (peak) pglml). Thirty other patients were studied before and afier denervation of the gastric body (highly selective vagotomy). Bnsnl and stimulated gastrin concentrations were also higher postoperatively in these patients (941133 and 2771343 pglml respectively). The differences between the two groups were insignifcant. Between individuals, gastrin responses varied markedly, but pre-and postoperative responses were positively related within the same subject. No differences were observed between patients with 'positive' or 'negative' Hollander responses to insulin. In 6 subjects studied 2 and 14 weeks postoperatively no difierenre was apparent between the two studies.It is concluded that antral branches of the uagi play only a minor role, if any, in the gastrin response to food.