Involvement of cholecystokinin/gastrin-related peptides and their receptors in clinical gastrointestinal disorders

In this paper the possible roles of cholecystokinin (CCK), gastrin, or gastrin-related peptides and their receptors in human gastrointestinal diseases are reviewed. For CCK/CCKA receptors (CCKA-R), the evidence for their proposed involvement in diseases caused by impaired CCK release or CCKA-R mutations, pancreatic disorders (acute/chronic pancreatitis), gastrointestinal motility disorders (gallbladder disease. irritable bowel syndrome), pancreatic tumor growth and satiety disorders, is briefly reviewed. The evidence that has established the involvement of gastrin/CCKB-R in mediating the action of hypergastrinaemic disorders. mediating lipergastrinaemic effects on the gastric mucosa (ECL hyperplasia, carcinoids. parietal cell mass). and acid-peptic diseases. is reviewed. The evidence for their possible involvement in mediating growth of gastric and pancreatic tumours and possible involvement of gastrin-related peptides in colon cancers. is reviewed briefly.