Group I pepsinogens in serum. I. Normal range, age and sex relation, diurnal rhythm, seasonal variation, and distribution in ABO blood groups

The concentration of group I pepsinogens (PG I) in serum was determined in 235 healthy persons and hospital controls. The concentration was significantly higher in males. Correction of PG I with regard to body weight or lean body mass eliminated the sex difference but not the weak correlation with age. The normal range was 0.60-3.3 ng PG I/ml serum/kg body weight. For comparison with other PG I studies another normal range, 46-211 ng PG I/ml serum, was calculated as the 95% interpercentile range of the present PG I concentrations. In a study of diurnal rhythm and in a 6-month study of seasonal variation, no significant variation of PG I in serum was found. Serious non-gastric surgical disease did not influence the PG I level in serum. The PG I levels in blood groups O, A, and B did not differ significantly.