Omeprazole: Calcitonin stimulation test in young and elderly subjects

Abstract

Aim of this study is to compare the C-cell calcitonin (CT) response to increased endogenous gastrin (GT) achieved by omeprazole between young and elderly sex-matched healthy subjects. Twenty-three (13 male, W female) elderly subjects and 42 (22 male and 20 female) young subjects were studied. After taking blood samples for basal CT and CT determinations, omeprazole 20 mg b.i.d. was given for 3 days, CT and GT levels were repeated on the fourth day. Significant increments in GT levels were obtained in both groups. Basal and stimulated CT levels and the increament observed in CT levels were not significantly different between young and elderly subjects (basal; 18.7±12 vs 18.9±22 ng/L, stimulated; 23.7±19 vs 19.9±16 ng/L, respectively, p>0.05). Elderly females had the lowest basal CT values and did not show any increment to stimulation (basal; 70.5±70 stimulated; 10.5±17 ng/L). This study shows that physiological role of endogenous GT in CT secretion is not significant for healthy young and elderly subjects. But elderly female had the lowest basal CT levels which might indicate a functional or numeral loss of C-cells with aging.