Galanin inhibits gastric acid secretion through a somatostatin-independent mechanism in mice

The role of somatostatin in galanin-induced inhibition of gastric acid secretion in urethane-anesthetized mice was investigated by using immunoneutralization of endogenous somatostatin and somatostatin receptor type 2 (SSTR2) knockout mice. Intravenous galanin (10 and 20 microg/kg/h) inhibited pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion by 47 and 33%, respectively. Somatostatin antibody injected i.v. increased acid secretion by 3.5-fold over basal levels but did not modify the antisecretory effects of galanin. Urethane-anesthetized SSTR2 knockout mice had a basal secretion 14-fold higher than wild-type animals, that was inhibited by galanin (10 and 20 microg/kg/h) by 49 and 31% respectively. In mice galanin inhibits gastric acid secretion through a somatostatin-independent mechanism.