1.   The finding of enhanced fasting gastrin concentrations in H pylori positive subjects and in duodenal ulcer disease can not easily be explained.

2.   In H pylori negative subjects, however, serum gastrin concentrations did not vary with age.

3.   The results clearly indicate that fasting gastrin and pepsinogen-I and -II concentrations were significantly higher in H pylori positive compated with H pylori negative subjects.

4.   Neither age nor sex affected basal gastrin and pepsinogen concentrations in H pylori negative subjects.

5.   Differences in each variable among H pylori positive subjects and H pylori negative subjects were tested by analysis of variance.

6.   Basal serum gastrin concentrations were significantly higher in H pylori positive than in H pylori negative subjects.

7.   Basal serum pepsinogen-I and -II concentrations were significantly higher in H pylori positive than in H pylori negative subjects.

8.   The finding of enhanced fasting gastrin concentrations in H pylori positive subjects and in duodenal ulcer disease cannot easily be explained.

9.   It might be anticipated, therefore, that the pattern of gastrin and pepsinogen would differ in H pylori positive subjects without symptoms and in patients with duodenal ulcers.