Vagal gastric secretory stimulation by 2-deoxy-D-glucose

Nesfatin-1 inhibits gastric acid secretion via a central vagal mechanism in rats

Nesfatin-1, a novel hypothalamic peptide, inhibits nocturnal feeding behavior and gastrointestinal motility in rodents. The effects of nesfatin-1 on gastrointestinal secretory function, including gastric acid production, have not been evaluated. Nesfatin-1 was injected into the fourth intracerebral ventricle (4V) of chronically cannulated rats to identify a nesfatin dose sufficient to inhibit food intake. Nesfatin-1 (2 μg) inhibited dark-phase food intake, in a dose-dependent fashion, for >3 h. Gastric acid production was evaluated in urethane-anesthetized rats. Nesfatin-1 (2 μg) was introduced via the 4V following endocrine stimulation of gastric acid secretion by pentagastrin (2 μg·kg(-1)·h(-1) iv), vagal stimulation with 2-deoxy-D-glucose (200 mg/kg sc), or no stimulus. Gastric secretions were collected via gastric cannula and neutralized by titration to determine acid content. Nesfatin-1 did not affect basal and pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion, whereas 2-deoxy-D-glucose-stimulated gastric acid production was inhibited by nesfatin-1 in a dose-dependent manner. c-Fos immunofluorescence in brain sections was used to evaluate in vivo neuronal activation by nesfatin-1 administered via the 4V. Nesfatin-1 caused activation of efferent vagal neurons, as evidenced by a 16-fold increase in the mean number of c-Fos-positive neurons in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMNV) in nesfatin-1-treated animals vs. controls (P < 0.01). Finally, nesfatin-induced Ca(2+) signaling was evaluated in primary cultured DMNV neurons from neonatal rats. Nesfatin-1 caused dose-dependent Ca(2+) increments in 95% of cultured DMNV neurons. These studies demonstrate that central administration of nesfatin-1, at doses sufficient to inhibit food intake, results in inhibition of vagally stimulated secretion of gastric acid. Nesfatin-1 activates DMNV efferent vagal neurons in vivo and triggers Ca(2+) signaling in cultured DMNV neurons.

Gastric secretion elicited by conditioning in rats

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether interdigestive gastric acid secretion can be controlled by a possible memory-related cortical mechanism.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

To evaluate gastric secretion in rats, we used a methodology that allows gastric juice collection in rats in their habitual conditions (without any restraining) by pairing sound as the conditioning stimulus (CS) and food as the unconditioning stimulus (US). The levels of gastric acid secretion under basal conditions and under sound stimulation were recorded and the circulating gastrin levels determined.

RESULTS

When the gastric juice was collected in the course of the conditioning procedure, the results showed that under noise stimulation a significant increase in gastric acid secretion occurred after 10 days of conditioning (p<0.01). The significance was definitively demonstrated after 13 days of conditioning (p<0.001). Basal secretions of the conditioned rats reached a significant level after 16 days of conditioning. The levels of noise-stimulated gastric acid secretion were the highest so far described in physiological experiments carried out in rats and there were no significant increases in the circulating gastrin levels.

CONCLUSIONS

The results point to the important role played by cortical structures in the control of interdigestive gastric acid secretion in rats. If this mechanism is also present in humans, it may be involved in diseases caused by inappropriate gastric acid secretion during the interprandial periods.

Role of brainstem TRH/TRH-R1 receptors in the vagal gastric cholinergic response to various stimuli including sham-feeding

Pavlov's pioneering work established that sham-feeding induced by sight or smell of food or feeding in dogs with permanent esophagostomy stimulates gastric acid secretion through vagal pathways. Brain circuitries and transmitters involved in the central vagal regulation of gastric function have recently been unraveled. Neurons in the dorsal vagal complex including the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMN) express thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) receptor and are innervated by TRH fibers originating from TRH synthesizing neurons in the raphe pallidus, raphe obscurus and the parapyramidal regions. TRH injected into the DMN or cisterna magna increases the firing of DMN neurons and gastric vagal efferent discharge, activates cholinergic neurons in gastric submucosal and myenteric plexuses, and induces a vagal-dependent, atropine-sensitive stimulation of gastric secretory (acid, pepsin) and motor functions. TRH antibody or TRH-R1 receptor oligodeoxynucleotide antisense pretreatment in the cisterna magna or DMN abolished vagal-dependent gastric secretory and motor responses to sham-feeding, 2-deoxy-D-glucose, cold exposure and chemical activation of cell bodies in medullary raphe nuclei. TRH excitatory action in the DMN is potentiated by co-released prepro-TRH-(160-169) flanking peptide, Ps4 and 5-HT, and inhibited by a number of peptides involved in the stress/immune response and inhibition of food-intake. These neuroanatomical, electrophysiological and neuropharmacological data are consistent with a physiological role of brainstem TRH in the central vagal stimulation of gastric myenteric cholinergic neurons in response to several vagal dependent stimuli including sham-feeding.

Peripheral GABAB agonists stimulate gastric acid secretion in mice

1 We characterized the effects of intravenous GABA and preferential GABAA (muscimol), GABAB (R-baclofen and SKF-97541) and GABAC agonists (imidazole-4-acetic acid) on gastric acid secretion in urethane-anesthetized mice implanted with a gastric cannula, and determined the role of vagal cholinergic mechanisms, and gastrin and somatostatin by using peptide immunoneutralization, the SSTR2 antagonist, PRL-2903, and SSTR2 knockout mice. 2 The selective GABA(B) agonists R-baclofen (0.1-3 mg kg(-1), i.v.) and SKF-97541 (0.01-0.3 mg kg(-1), i.v.) induced a dose-related stimulation of gastric acid secretion. SKF-97541 was about 10 times more potent than R-baclofen stimulating gastric acid secretion. Neither GABA (0.1-100 mg kg(-1), i.v.) nor muscimol (0.1-3 mg kg(-1)) nor imidazole-4-acetic acid (0.1-10 mg kg(-1)) affected basal gastric acid secretion. 3 Stimulatory effects of SKF-97541 (0.1 mg kg(-1), i.v.) were blocked by the selective GABAB antagonist, 2-hydroxysaclofen, cholinergic blockade with atropine, subdiaphragmatic vagotomy or gastrin immunoneutralization. 4 Somatostatin immunoneutralization or SSTR2 blockade with PRL-2903 enhanced the secretory response to SKF-97541 (0.1 mg kg(-1), i.v.) by 78 and 105%, respectively. 5 In SSTR2 knockout mice, SKF-97541 (0.1 mg kg(-1), i.v.) increased basal gastric acid secretion by 48%. Neither GABA nor muscimol nor imidazole-4-acetic acid modified basal gastric acid secretion in SSTR2 knockout mice. 6 These results indicate that, in mice, stimulation of GABAB receptors increases gastric acid secretion through vagal- and gastrin-dependent mechanisms. Somatostatin implication might be secondary to the release of gastrin and the increase in gastric luminal acidity.

Cephalic phase of acid secretion involves activation of medullary TRH receptor subtype 1 in rats

Mechanisms involved in the cephalic phase of gastric acid secretion were studied in awake fasted rats with chronic gastric fistula and exposed to the sight and smell of chow for 30 min. Acid secretion was monitored using constant intragastric perfusion and automatic titration. Sham feeding induced a peak acid response reaching 82 +/- 7 micromol/10 min within 20 min compared with the average 22 +/- 2 micromol/10 min in controls. The sham-feeding response was abolished by intracisternal pretreatment with the TRH(1)-receptor antisense oligodeoxynucleotides or subcutaneous injection of atropine, whereas TRH(1) mismatch oligodeoxynucleotides had no effect. Serum gastrin was not altered by the sham feeding and increased by refeeding. Gastrin antibody did not block the rise in acid during sham feeding, although the net acid response was reduced by 47% compared with the control group. Glycine-gastrin antibody, indomethacin and nitro-l-arginine methyl ester had no effect. Atropine and gastrin antibody decreased basal acid secretion by 98 and 75%, respectively, whereas all other pretreatments did not. These results indicate that the cholinergic-dependent acid response to sham feeding is mediated by brain medullary TRH(1) receptors in rats.

Effect of mitragynine, derived from Thai folk medicine, on gastric acid secretion through opioid receptor in anesthetized rats

Mitragynine, an indole alkaloid from Thai folk medicine Mitragyna speciosa, exerts agonistic effects on opioid receptors. Gastric acid secretion is proposed to be regulated by opioid receptors in the central nervous system (CNS). Previously, we reported the dual roles (inhibition via micro-opioid receptors and stimulation via kappa-opioid receptors) of the opioid system in the central control of gastric acid secretion. We investigated whether mitragynine affects gastric acid secretion via opioid receptors in the CNS. Injection of mitragynine (30 microg) alone into the lateral cerebroventricle did not have a significant effect on basal gastric acid secretion in the perfused stomach of anesthetized rats. Injection of mitragynine (3-30 microg) into the fourth cerebroventricle, like morphine, inhibited 2-deoxy-D-glucose-stimulated gastric acid secretion. The inhibitory effect of mitragynine (30 microg) was reversed by naloxone (100 microg). These results suggest that mitragynine has a morphine-like action on gastric acid secretion in the CNS.

PACAP stimulates gastric acid secretion in the rat by inducing histamine release

Previous studies have shown that pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) stimulates enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cell histamine release, but its role in the regulation of gastric acid secretion is disputed. This work examines the effect of PACAP-38 on aminopyrine uptake in enriched rat parietal cells and on histamine release and acid secretion in the isolated vascularly perfused rat stomach and the role of PACAP in vagally (2-deoxyglucose) stimulated acid secretion in the awake rat. PACAP has no direct effect on the isolated parietal cell as assessed by aminopyrine uptake. PACAP induces a concentration-dependent histamine release and acid secretion in the isolated stomach, and its effect on histamine release is additive to gastrin. The histamine H2 antagonist ranitidine potently inhibits PACAP-stimulated acid secretion without affecting histamine release. Vagally stimulated acid secretion is partially inhibited by a PACAP antagonist. The results from the present study strongly suggest that PACAP plays an important role in the neurohumoral regulation of gastric acid secretion. Its effect seems to be mediated by the release of ECL cell histamine.

The area postrema lesions alter the inhibitory effects of peripherally infused pancreatic polypeptide on pancreatic secretion

Circulating PP binds to specific receptors in the DVC through the AP, but the mechanism through which these brain receptors affect pancreatic secretion is not clear. We hypothesize that the removal of the AP (APX) will alter the effects of PP on pancreatic secretion. APX or sham procedures were performed in anesthetized male Wistar rats. After a 1-month recovery, one group of rats were infused with either PP (30 or 100 pmol/kg per h) or vehicle under basal or 2-DG-stimulated (75 mg/kg, i.v. bolus) conditions for studying pancreatic exocrine secretion. A second parallel group was sacrificed for examination of PP receptor binding in the brain stem. A third group received an intraperitoneal injection of PP at the dose of 4.15x10(4) pmol/kg (200 microg/kg) and c-fos expression in the brain stem was examined. APX eliminated PP binding sites in the DVC as assessed by autoradiography. PP infusion caused a dose-dependent decrease in basal protein secretion. APX partially reversed PP inhibition of basal protein secretion when infused at 30 pmol/kg per h, and at 100 pmol/kg per h stimulated pancreatic fluid secretion and reversed the inhibition of protein secretion. During 2-DG stimulation the effects of PP and 2-DG on pancreatic fluid and protein secretion were parallel. PP dose-dependently inhibited 2-DG-stimulated secretion in sham rats. APX reduced the pancreatic fluid (54%) and protein (46%) secretory response to 2-DG. However, PP at 30 pmol/kg per h remained a potent inhibitor of 2-DG-stimulated pancreatic secretion in APX rats. This effect was blunted with PP at 100 pmol/kg per h in APX rats, possibly related to the stimulatory effect of high-dose PP in APX rats without 2-DG. Furthermore, i.p. PP induced significantly greater c-fos activation of NTS neurons in APX rats than sham rats, despite the apparent absence of PP binding sites in the DVC. We conclude that in awake rats, PP inhibits basal secretion, in part, through the AP. Furthermore, and unlike PYY, PP inhibits 2-DG-stimulated pancreatic secretion, and it does so through an AP-independent mechanism. The possibility that the mechanism may involve the DVC cannot be excluded since i.p. injection of PP activates c-fos expression in DVC neurons. Thus, PP and PYY may regulate different components of the pancreatic secretory control system through unique pathways.

Effect of nervous excitation on acid secretion in horses

Nervous excitation was induced by various means in horses provided with a gastric cannula. Insulin hypoglycaemia profoundly inhibited the basal acid output and volume secreted from the stomach. No clear effect on acid secretion was noted after administration of bethanechol, as the acid output was covered by the copious secretion of saliva. Atropine almost abolished the basal acid output. Sensoric stimulation by teasing caused a slight but not significant increase in the total acid output. These data suggest that cholinergic excitation might play a role in the stimulation of both volume and acid secretion in the horse. The inhibitory effect seen on these two parameters after insulin hypoglycaemia may hypothetically be ascribed to inhibitory impulses carried in peptide neurones of the vagal nerves or to inhibitory impulses in adrenergic nerves acting directly or indirectly on the parietal cells.

A novel method to produce extensive gastric antral ulcer in rats: pharmacological factors involved in the etiology of antral ulceration

Gastric antral area is the most susceptible region to gastric ulceration in man. However, only limited information is available on animal models. In the present paper, we have developed an improved method for inducing gastric antral ulcers by the administration of 1.0 M HCl after refeeding for 1 h in rats. On day 4, the severe ulcer was found covering extensively the whole area of the antrum, and penetrated through the muscularis mucosae. The incidence of ulceration was 100% and the mean ulcer index was 37.1 +/- 16.6 mm2. In contrast, none of the erosive lesions were observed in the corpus area. Before 24 h, only slight hyperemia was observed in the antral region, suggesting that some submucosal mechanisms are involved in the ulceration processes other than the direct erosive action of HCl on the mucosal surface. Additional treatment with diethyldithiocarbamate (125 mg x kg(-1), s.c.), superoxide dismutase inhibitor, significantly aggravated this antral ulcer, and the ulcer index was 66.0 +/- 13.6 mm2. Allopurinol (50 mg x kg(-1), p.o.) significantly prevented ulcer formation induced by HCl plus DDC. GSH (150 mg x kg(-1), i.p.) also markedly prevented the ulceration. However, DMSO (0.5%, 5 mL x kg(-1), p.o.) was found not to affect ulcer formation. Famotidine (20 mg x kg(-1), p.o.) almost completely inhibited ulcer formation. From the above results, it was concluded that gastric antral ulcer can be induced by the simple treatment of 1.0 M HCl in refed rats, and the antrum has a different defensive mechanism from that in the corpus area. In addition. oxygen derived radicals, especially superoxide anion and endogenous acid secretion were found to be involved in the etiology of the aggravation of the gastric antral ulcer induced by DDC.

Vagus-dependent and vagus-independent mechanisms of action of the erythromycin derivative EM574 and motilin in dogs

The motor-stimulating action of de(N-methyl)-N-isopropyl-8,9-anhydroerythromycin A 6,9-hemiacetal (EM574) on the upper gastrointestinal tract was studied in fasted conscious dogs using chronically implanted force transducers and compared with those of porcine motilin and cisapride. EM574 induced gastric phase III-like migrating contractions and increased the plasma motilin levels slightly. The gastric motility induced by low doses of EM574 and motilin was abolished by a 5HT3-receptor antagonist ondansetron and acute vagal blockade, whereas under these conditions, high doses of both agents induced contractions, which were abolished by atropine. Cisapride-induced gastric motility was inhibited by atropine and acute vagal blockade, but not by ondansetron. EM574 did not stimulate gastric secretion in the basal state. These results indicate that EM574- and motilin-induced gastrointestinal motility is attributable mainly to motor-stimulating vagal cholinergic neurons, and 5HT3-receptors are probably involved in the process. At high doses, EM574 and motilin also appear to stimulate cholinergic neurons in a non-vagal pathway, probably the enteric nervous system.

Gastrin partially mediates insulin-induced acid secretion in dogs

A monoclonal antibody to gastrin was used to study the role of circulating gastrin in mediating insulin-stimulated acid output. On separate days, seven adult dogs with chronic gastric fistulas were pretreated i.v. with either 1) 7 mg of a gastrin monoclonal antibody (mAb 28.2); 2) 12.5 micrograms/kg atropine; 3) mAb 28.2 and atropine together; or 4) vehicle (0.1% canine serum albumin in 0.15 M NaCl). Thirty minutes later, acid secretion was stimulated by insulin (0.5 U/kg, i.v.), followed in 2 h by a 1-h infusion of histamine (40 micrograms/kg/h, i.v.). Acid output (mmol/15 min) in gastric effluent collected through the gastric fistula was determined by titration with 0.2 N NaOH to pH 7.0. Plasma gastrin was measured by radioimmunoassay. Plasma glucose was measured by a glucose oxidase method on an auto analyzer. Insulin induced a profound hypoglycemia (55 +/- 8 mg/dl) that coincided with a marked increase in acid output to 7.1 +/- 0.6 mmol/30 min by 45 min after injection. MAb 28.2 pretreatment and atropine pretreatment reduced insulin-stimulated acid outputs to 2.7 +/- 0.7 mmol/30 min and to 0.6 +/- 0.2 mmol/ 30 min, respectively. Acid output after combined pretreatment (0.5 +/- 0.2 mmol/30 min) was not significantly different than after atropine alone. Histamine-stimulated acid output (15.8 +/- 2.5 mmol/30 min) was not significantly reduced by any pretreatment. Insulin injection increased circulating gastrin concentrations to 32 +/- 7 fmol/ml, which was not significantly affected by atropine (39 +/- 9 fmol/ml). This study demonstrates that, in dogs, a significant part of insulin-stimulated acid secretion is mediated by circulating gastrin.

Intracisternal injection of TRH antibody blocks gastric emptying stimulated by 2-deoxy-D-glucose in rats

We evaluated the effect of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) on gastric emptying of a non nutrient solution in conscious rats using a Phenol red method. Intravenous injection of 2-deoxy-D-glucose dose-dependently increased the rate of gastric emptying. This stimulatory action of 2-DG was abolished by subdiaphragmatic vagotomy. Intracisternal injection of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) antibody blocked intracisternal TRH and intravenous 2-DG-induced enhancement of gastric emptying but not the stimulation of gastric emptying induced by intracisternal pancreatic polypeptide. The TRH antibody injected intraperitoneally had no effect. These results suggest that endogenous TRH in the brain is involved in vagal-dependent stimulation of gastric emptying by 2-DG.

Gastric mucosal damage induced by 2-deoxy-D-glucose involves medullary TRH in the rat

These studies examined the effect of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) on gastric mucosal integrity. Intravenous administration of 2-DG in doses of 100 and 125 mg/kg dose-dependently produced multiple, hemorrhagic gastric mucosal lesions while 75 mg/kg of 2-DG failed to induce gastric lesions. Intracisternal injection of 2-DG in doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg also induced gastric mucosal damage in a dose-dependent manner whereas the injection of 5 mg/kg of 2-DG intracisternally did not induce the development of gastric lesions. Gastric mucosal damage by intravenous 2-DG was completely blocked by bilateral gastric branch vagotomy. Intracisternal but not intraperitoneal injection of anti-TRH antibody 8964 significantly reduced the severity of gastric mucosal lesions evoked by intravenous administration of 2-DG. These results suggest that 2-DG acts in the brain to induce gastric mucosal damage through vagal dependent pathways. Endogenous TRH in the central nervous system may be involved in the production of gastric mucosal damage by 2-DG.

Regulation of gastrin release in the dog by alpha 2-adrenoceptors

1. The purpose of the present study was to analyse the effects of the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist medetomidine and the antagonist yohimbine on gastrin release in conscious dogs. 2. Gastrin secretion was investigated under both basal conditions and stimulation by 2-deoxy-D-glucose, food or bombesin. 3. Basal gastrin under fasting conditions was significantly reduced by medetomidine and increased by yohimbine. 4. 2-deoxy-D-glucose-induced gastrin increase was fully inhibited by medetomidine; this effect was antagonized by yohimbine. 5. Medetomidine significantly inhibited food-induced increase in plasma gastrin; under these conditions yohimbine was without effect per se, but significantly antagonized the inhibitory action of medetomidine. 6. Gastrin release induced by bombesin was not affected by medetomidine or yohimbine. 7. These results suggest that alpha 2-adrenoceptors play an inhibitory role under conditions in which gastrin release is mainly mediated through cholinergic and non-cholinergic nervous pathways; in contrast, they do not indicate the presence of alpha 2-adrenoceptors on G cells of the dog stomach.

Involvement of vagal pathway in the anti-secretory effect of a novel xanthine derivative

The inhibitory action of a novel xanthine derivative, 3-ethyl-1-(6-hydroxy-6-methylheptyl)-7-propylxanthine (A90 6119) on gastric acid secretion was studied in rats. In conscious pylorus-ligated rats, A90 6119 (3 mg/kg intraduodenally, i.d.), inhibited gastric acid output stimulated by carbachol and by 2-deoxy-D-glucose by 49% and 100% respectively. Basal acid secretion was inhibited by 61% by 10 mg/kg, i.d. A90 6119. In urethane anesthetized stomach-lumen-perfused rats, A 90 6119 at 1 and 3 mg/kg, i.d. significantly reduced the acid secretion stimulated by 2-deoxy-D-glucose, by 83% and 100%, respectively. The stable thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) analog, RX 77368, injected intracisternally (i.c.) at a 30 ng dose, induced concomitant increases in acid secretion and gastric mucosal blood flow. A90 6119 (10 micrograms/rat, i.c.) inhibited by 93% and 132% the increase in acid secretion and gastric mucosal blood flow induced by i.c. injection of TRH analog, respectively. These data suggest that the anti-secretory effect of A90 6119 involves inhibition of both central and peripheral vagal cholinergic pathways.

The role of peripheral opioid receptor subtypes in the modulation of gastric acid secretion and plasma gastrin in dogs

The peripheral opioid receptor subtypes involved in the regulation of gastric acid secretion were studied in dogs with both a gastric fistula and a Heidenhain pouch, by using the putative mu-opioid receptor agonist dermorphin, the delta-opioid receptor agonist [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin (DADLE) and the kappa-opioid receptor agonist dynorphin-(1-13). Dermorphin caused a significant increase in basal acid secretion from both the gastric fistula and the Heidenhain pouch, while DADLE and dynorphin-(1-13) did not. Acid secretion stimulated by 2-deoxy-D-glucose from the gastric fistula was not modified by dermorphin and dynorphin-(1-13), while DADLE significantly inhibited it; at the same time gastric secretion from the Heidenhain pouch was significantly increased by dermorphin and unmodified by DADLE and dynorphin-(1-13). Dermorphin, DADLE or dynorphin-(1-13) did not modify plasma gastrin during basal or 2-deoxy-D-glucose-stimulated conditions. Submaximal bethanechol-stimulated secretion was increased by dermorphin and DADLE but unaffected by dynorphin-(1-13). Acid secretion from the gastric fistula stimulated by pentagastrin was enhanced by dermorphin, inhibited by DADLE and unaffected by dynorphin-(1-13). Dermorphin and DADLE significantly increased acid secretion from the Heidenhain pouch stimulated by pentagastrin, while dynorphin-(1-13) was ineffective. Naloxone prevented the stimulatory effects of dermorphin and DADLE on the Heidenhain pouch, but it reduced acid secretion from the gastric fistula further when given with DADLE. The inhibitory effects of DADLE on secretion from the gastric fistula were prevented by naltrindole, a selective antagonist of delta-opioid receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Gastric antisecretory effect of FRG-8813, a new histamine H2 receptor antagonist, in rats and dogs

FRG-8813, a new histamine H2 receptor antagonist, was examined for antisecretory effects and compared with famotidine and cimetidine in rats and dogs. In pylorus-ligated and lumen-perfused rats, FRG-8813 given i.v. reduced basal gastric acid secretion and the acid secretion evoked by histamine, tetragastrin, bethanechol, and 2-deoxy-D-glucose in a dose-dependent manner. The i.v. antisecretory activity of FRG-8813 was equivalent to or slightly less than that of famotidine and the intraduodenal (i.d.) activity was greater than that of cimetidine. The duration of action of FRG-8813 was substantially longer than that of farmotidine and cimetidine for both i.v. and i.d. routes. The i.v. ED40 values for the histamine- and tetragastrin-evoked responses and the i.v. ED30 value for the bethanechol-evoked response were 0.15, 0.09 and 0.43 mg2kg, respectively. In Heidenhain pouch dogs, when the three H2 antagonists were given i.v. or orally, the relative antisecretory potency of the compounds was similar to that in rats. The long-lasting antisecretory effect of FRG-8813 was also observed, and the i.v. ED50 values for histamine-, tetragastrin- and bethanechol-evoked responses were 0.1, 0.24 and 1.0 mg/kg, respectively. Comparison of the parenteral and enteral potencies indicated that FRG-8813 has a lower bioavailability than famotidine and cimetidine in rats and dogs. These data suggest that FRG-8813 has a potent and long-lasting antisecretory effect with a far greater potency than cimetidine and with a slightly lower potency than famotidine.

Acute intragastric application of capsaicin inhibits 2-deoxy-D-glucose--but not histamine-induced gastric acid secretion in the dog

In this study the influence of acute exposure of gastric mucosa to the sensory neurotoxin capsaicin on basal gastric acid secretion and on secretion induced by 2-deoxy-D-glucose or histamine in conscious dogs with gastric fistulae has been investigated. Under basal conditions intragastric capsaicin (160 microM, 50 ml of volume) did not induce any significant change in acid secretion and in plasma levels of gastrin. Total acid output induced by 2-deoxy-D-glucose (75 mg/kg i.v.) was significantly decreased by intragastric application of capsaicin, while plasma gastrin concentrations were unaffected. A direct stimulant of the parietal cells, such as histamine (64 micrograms/kg s.c.) increased gastric acid secretion which was not sensitive to capsaicin pretreatment. These findings indicate the involvement of capsaicin-sensitive fibers in the control of vagally-induced gastric acid secretion in the dog.

Central thyrotropin-releasing factor analog prevents ethanol-induced gastric damage through prostaglandins in rats

The effects of intracisternal injection of the stable thyrotropin-releasing factor (TRH) analog RX 77368 on gastric lesions induced by 60% ethanol and gastric prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release were studied in rats. RX 77368 (1.0 and 1.5 ng) injected intracisternally inhibited (by 58% and 78%, respectively) macroscopic gastric damage induced by ethanol. Higher doses (3 and 300 ng) inhibited ethanol-induced gastric injury only in rats pretreated with omeprazole (20 mg/kg SC). Gastric acid output measured in conscious rats 2 hours after pylorus ligation was not modified by intracisternal injection of RX 77368 at 1.5 ng but was significantly increased by 54% at the 3-ng dose. The protective effect of TRH analog (1.5 ng) was completely abolished by indomethacin (5 mg/kg IP) and atropine (2 mg/kg SC) pretreatment. In pylorus-ligated rats, intracisternal RX 77368 (1.5 ng) inhibited ethanol-induced gastric lesions by 64%. Intracisternal injection of RX 77368 (1.5 ng) increased PGE2 levels measured in the effluent of dialysis fibers implanted into the corpus submucosa of urethane-anesthetized rats. Peripheral administration of omeprazole, atropine, indomethacin, or RX 77368 (1.5 ng IV) did not influence gastric damage induced by ethanol. These data show that the stable TRH analog, RX 77368, injected intracisternally at low non-secretory doses acts in the brain to protect against ethanol lesions through prostaglandin and cholinergic pathways. These findings suggest that central vagal activation induced by TRH may play a role in the control of mucosal integrity against ethanol through cholinergic prostaglandin release.

Effects of quinolone carboxylic acid derivatives on GABAA receptor-mediated stimulation of gastric acid secretion and intestinal motility

The present study investigates the effects of some quinolone carboxylic acid derivatives on GABAA receptor-mediated excitatory responses in gastrointestinal preparations in vivo and in vitro. In stomach-perfused rats, norfloxacin, nalidixic and pipemidic acid dose dependently antagonized acid hypersecretion induced by muscimol. Under the same conditions, the quinolone derivatives failed to modify acid hypersecretion evoked by 2-deoxy-D-glucose. In the isolated guinea-pig ileum, norfloxacin, nalidixic and pipemidic acid antagonized muscimol-elicited contractions in a non-competitive manner. In contrast, these drugs did not influence ileal cholinergic contractions evoked by transmural electrical stimulation or by exogenous acetylcholine. Taken together, these results suggest that the quinolone derivatives tested act as antagonists at both central and peripheral GABAA receptors. In addition, GABAA-mediated gastrointestinal responses might represent a simple and reliable method to assay the GABAA receptor antagonist properties of new quinolone derivatives.

Evidence that histamine H3 receptors are involved in the control of gastric acid secretion in the conscious cat

In an attempt to assess the role of histamine H3 receptors in the control of gastric acid secretion, the effects of the selective histamine H3 receptor agonist, (R) alpha-methylhistamine and antagonist, thioperamide were evaluated in the conscious gastric fistula cat under basal conditions and against different stimuli. (R) alpha-methylhistamine (0.05-0.2 mumol/kg/h) was ineffective against spontaneous and dimaprit-induced acid secretion; it also did not reduce significantly pentagastrin-induced acid output, but caused a dose-dependent (0.05-0.1 mumol/kg/h) and significant inhibition of the acid response to 2-deoxy-D-glucose. Thioperamide (0.02-0.04 mumol/kg/h) did not modify spontaneous acid secretion, whereas it evoked a significant enhancement of the acid response to submaximal doses (50 mg/kg i.v.) of 2-deoxy-D-glucose. Thioperamide completely reversed the inhibitory effect of (R) alpha-methylhistamine against 2-deoxy-D-glucose-induced secretion, while leaving unaffected the inhibition induced by somatostatin. These data suggest that histamine H3 receptors may be involved in the control of acid secretion stimulated by indirectly acting secretagogues.

2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG)-induced increase in gastric acid secretion is impaired in capsaicin-pretreated rats

This study investigated the increase in gastric acid secretion induced by intravenous administration of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG; 60 mg kg-1), insulin (5 U kg-1) or by electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve (1 mA, 1 ms, 3 Hz) in urethane-anesthetized rats pretreated when newborn with either capsaicin or the vehicle. The secretory response to 2-DG was substantially reduced in the capsaicin pretreated rats, while those induced by electrical vagal stimulation or insulin were unaffected. These findings suggest that capsaicin-sensitive fibers are involved in the afferent branch of the reflex response activated by 2-DG to stimulate gastric acid secretion.

Effect of somatostatin analogs on gastric acid secretion in dogs and rats

The effects of several superactive analogs of somatostatin on gastric acid response to various exogenous and endogenous stimulants were investigated in conscious dogs and rats with gastric fistulae (GF). The inhibition was compared to that induced by somatostatin-14 (S-S-14) at two dose levels. Several octapeptide analogs of somatostatin including D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Val-Cys-Trp-NH2 (RC-160) and D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Val-Cys-Thr-NH2 (RC-121), which were superactive in tests on suppression of GH levels, were 4-5 times more potent than S-S-14 in inhibiting desglugastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion in GF dogs. The analog RC-160 also reduced the rise in serum gastrin levels and gastric acid secretion induced by sham feeding (SF) in dogs with gastric and esophageal fistulae (EF), but did not decrease food consumption. Gastric acid secretion induced by histamine (80 micrograms/kg/h) in dogs was not affected by 1-5 micrograms/kg/h of analog RC-121 or by 5 micrograms/kg/h of S-S-14. Analogs RC-160, RC-121, and RC-98-I (D-Trp-Cys-Phe-D-Trp-Lys-Thr-Cys-Thr-NH2) and others also powerfully inhibited desglugastrin-induced potent as S-S-14 in dogs but its activity was higher in rats. The results indicate that octapeptide analogs which are superactive in GH-inhibition tests are also more potent than S-S-14 in suppressing gastric acid secretion. These findings may be of clinical value.

Gastric acid inhibitory action of a GABA-related compound, 3-amino-3-phenylpropionic acid, in the rat

The acid inhibitory properties of 3-amino-3-phenylpropionic acid, a structural GABA analogue, were studied in the perfused rat stomach preparation. 3-Amino-3-phenylpropionic acid, 10 and 30 mg/kg i.v., dose dependently suppressed the gastric acid secretion induced by baclofen (2 mg/kg s.c.). This secretagogue action had been shown to be unaffected by either GABAA or GABAB receptor antagonists. The i.v. administration of 3-amino-3-phenylpropionic acid (3 and 10 mg/kg) was also effective to abolish the acid stimulatory effects of muscimol (1 mg/kg i.v.) and 2-deoxy-D-glucose (200 mg/kg i.v.). 3-Amino-3-phenylpropionic acid, even at the high dose (30 mg/kg i.v.) had no influence on the acid output in response to histamine and bethanechol. Furthermore, 3-amino-3-phenylpropionic acid had no significant effect on the acid secretion induced by electrical vagal stimulation. These results indicate that the antisecretory effect of 3-amino-3-phenylpropionic acid is different from those of antimuscarinics, H2-receptor antagonists and vagal blockade. Together, the results suggest that 3-amino-3-phenylpropionic acid might act in the brain to inhibit central regulation mechanisms of gastric acid secretion, probably through GABA mechanisms.

Effect of an endogenous satiety substance, 2-buten-4-olide, on gastric acid secretion and experimental ulceration in rats

The involvement of a feeding-related endogenous sugar acid, 2-buten-4-olide (2-B4O) on central regulation of gastric acid secretion, and its antiulcer effects on several gastric and duodenal experimental ulcer models were investigated in rats. Spontaneous gastric acid secretion was not affected by 2-B4O at doses below 10 mg/kg. The peripheral secretagogue-stimulated gastric secretions were significantly increased by pretreatment with 2-B4O. Gastric acid secretion induced by 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) was significantly suppressed by pretreatment with 2-B4O at doses between 0.1 and 100 mg/kg. Gastric and duodenal ulcerations induced by cold stress plus indomethacin, restraint and water immersion stress, pylorus ligation or cysteamine were also inhibited by pretreatment with 2-B4O. The results suggest that antiulcer effects of 2-B4O are due to suppression of gastric acid secretion via reduction of activity of the vagus nerve and gastric-related hypothalamic neurons. Thus, 2-B4O may be useful for treatment of gastroduodenal ulcer.

Alteration of metabolism of acetylcholine induced by 2-deoxy-D-glucose in the gastroduodenum of the rat

2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) administered intraperitoneally, dose-dependently increased the secretion of gastric acid, and the changes were comparable with those on the activity of choline acetyltransferase (CAT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the stomach. Double-reciprocal plot analysis of the increased activity of CAT and AChE, induced by 2-DG, showed that the changes were due to the increase of Vmax, with no change in the Km-value for the substrates. The uptake of [3H]choline and subsequent synthesis of [3H]ACh was observed in the forestomach, corpus and antrum of the stomach and in the duodenum. 2-Deoxy-D-glucose significantly increased the uptake of [3H]choline and synthesis of [3H]ACh in every region of the stomach and in the duodenum, in a dose-dependent manner. The increase of secretion of gastric acid, induced by 2-DG paralleled that of uptake of [3H]choline and synthesis of [3H]ACh at an early stage. The conversion of [3H]choline taken up to [3H]ACh was negligibly influenced by 2-DG. Neither the content of ACh and choline, nor the turnover rate of ACh, were changed by administration of 2-DG. 2-Buten-4-olide (2-B4O), which inhibits the activity of the vagus nerve through the central nervous system, prevented 2-DG-induced uptake of [3H]choline and subsequent synthesis of [3H]ACh, as well as the increase in secretion of gastric acid. These results suggest that the uptake of [3H]choline and subsequent synthesis of [3H]ACh are closely related to the neuronal activity of the vagus nerve, and that cholinergic neuronal activity is dependent upon quantitative changes of metabolism of ACh in the gastroduodenum.

Increase in gastric secretion induced by 2-deoxy-D-glucose is impaired in capsaicin pretreated rats

Gastric acid secretion was determined following intravenous administration of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG; 60 mg kg-1) or electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve in urethane-anaesthetized rats pretreated when newborn with either capsaicin or the vehicle. The secretory response to 2-DG was substantially reduced in the capsaicin pretreated rats, while that induced by electrical vagal stimulation (1 mA, 1 ms. 3 Hz) was unaffected. These results suggest that capsaicin-sensitive fibres are involved in the afferent branch of the reflex response activated by 2-DG to stimulate gastric acid secretion.

Alteration of gastroduodenal acetylcholine metabolism induced by 2-deoxy-D-glucose in rats

The effect of 2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) on acetylcholine (ACh) metabolism in the stomach and duodenum of rats was studied. 2-DG significantly increased [3H] choline uptake, [3H] ACh synthesis, and choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase activities in parallel with an increase in gastric acid secretion. The conversion rate of uptaken [3H] choline to [3H] ACh, the turnover rate of ACh, and the contents of ACh and choline were negligibly influenced by 2-DG. 2-Buten-4-olide, which inhibits vagus nerve activity via the central nervous system, prevented the 2-DG increased [3H] choline uptake and subsequent [3H] ACh synthesis as well as the increase in gastric acid secretion. These results suggest that neuronal activity of the vagus nerve is coupled with [3H] choline uptake and subsequent [3H] ACh synthesis, and that cholinergic neuronal activity depends on quantitative changes in ACh metabolism in the gastroduodenum.

An analysis of the effects of galanin on gastric acid secretion and plasma levels of gastrin in the dog

The effects of galanin on gastric acid secretion and plasma levels of gastrin were studied in conscious dogs chronically fitted with gastric fistulas. Continuous i.v. infusion of galanin (2 micrograms.kg-1.h-1) for 2 h did not affect unstimulated total acid output or plasma levels of gastrin. In contrast, simultaneous i.v. infusion of galanin (1-2 micrograms.kg-1.h-1) inhibited the bombesin-stimulated output of acid whereas the effects of bombesin on gastrin output were not significantly modified. Galanin (2-4 micrograms.kg-1 i.v.) also depressed the secretory response to 2-deoxy-D-glucose without significantly affecting plasma gastrin levels. Galanin (2-4 micrograms.kg-1 i.v.) did not depress bethanechol-stimulated gastric acid output or inhibit histamine-stimulated gastric acid secretion. These findings indicate that glanin inhibits the bombesin- and 2-deoxy-D-glucose-stimulated secretion of gastric acid in conscious dogs by an action which is probably exerted at the level of the cholinergic nerve terminals.

Corticotropin-releasing factor acts centrally to suppress stimulated gastric contractility in the rat

The effects of intracisternal (i.c.) and intravenous (i.v.) administration of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) on gastric contractility stimulated by i.c. injection of the TRH analog RX77368 [p-Glu-His-(3,3'-dimethyl)-Pro-NH2], 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) and i.v. infusion of carbachol were evaluated in rats under urethane anesthesia. Gastric contractility was monitored using acutely implanted extraluminal force transducers sutured to the corpus of the stomach. I.c. injection of CRF (6.3-210 pmol) resulted in a dose dependent suppression of gastric contractility stimulated by RX77368 (260 pmol) and 2DG (6 mg). Gastric inhibitory response to i.c. CRF was rapid in onset and lasted at least 45 min. Carbachol (200 mg/kg/h)-induced stimulation of gastric contractility was not modified by i.c. injection of CRF. The stimulation of contractility caused by both i.v. carbachol and i.c. 2DG were completely inhibited by atropine (1 mg/kg, i.v.). CRF (210 pmol) given i.v. suppressed RX77368-stimulated gastric contractions, but was less than 1/10 as potent as administered i.c. I.v. CRF (210 pmol) did not alter 2DG- or carbachol-induced gastric contractions. These results demonstrate that the i.c. administration of CRF acts within the brain to inhibit gastric contractility elicited by vagus-dependent mechanisms.

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the rat stomach: I. (-)-[3H]nicotine binding

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the rat stomach were characterized by means of a radioligand binding assay with (-)-[3H]nicotine as ligand. Saturation binding studies on the gastric fundus membranes revealed the presence of two binding sites with dissociation constant (KD) values of 3.1 and 289 nM, and maximum binding capacity (Bmax) values of 3.6 and 76 fmol/mg protein, respectively. The Bmax of the high affinity binding site was greatest in the cardia, followed by fundal mucosa, fundal muscle, and, finally antrum. The IC50 values of cholinergic drugs to inhibit (-)-[3H]nicotine binding in fundus membranes were as follows: (-)nicotine, 0.12 nM; cytosine, 9.3 nM; acetylcholine, 17.7 nM; carbachol, 700 nM; hexamethonium, 2270 nM. The IC50 values of alpha-bungarotoxin, d-tubocurarine and atropine were greater than 100 microM. The muscarinic acetylcholine receptors were also characterized with [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate and the choline acetyltransferase activity was measured. These results suggest that nicotinic acetylcholine receptors as well as muscarinic acetylcholine receptors are present in the rat stomach and that the regional distribution of these receptors is uneven.

Morphine inhibits the gastric acid secretion stimulated by 2-deoxy-D-glucose via a central mechanism in anesthetized rats

The effect of morphine on the gastric acid secretion induced by 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) was investigated in the perfused stomach of anesthetized rats. The intravenous infusion of morphine (0.01-1.0 mg/kg per h for 2 h) dose dependently suppressed the gastric acid secretion stimulated by 2-DG. This inhibitory effect of morphine was completely reversed by naloxone (1.0 mg/kg i.v.) pretreatment. On the other hand, even the higher dose of morphine (1.0 mg/kg per h for 70 min) had no effect on the gastric acid secretion evoked peripherally by electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve. These observations indicate that morphine suppressed the 2-DG-induced gastric acid secretion via a central mechanism(s), probably mediated by the opiate receptor(s).

Morphine reduces vagal-stimulated gastric acid secretion through a central action

The influence of morphine on gastric acid secretion stimulated by 2-deoxy-D-glucose or electrical vagal stimulation was studied in anaesthetised rats with perfused stomachs. It was found that changes in gastric acid output induced by electrical vagal stimulation were not noticeably affected, whereas those evoked by 2-deoxy-D-glucose were significantly suppressed by morphine pretreatment. The depressant effect of the opiate on the acid secretion stimulated by 2-deoxy-D-glucose was abolished by naloxone pretreatment. It is suggested that morphine inhibits vagal-stimulated gastric acid secretion in rats by acting predominantly on opioid receptors in the central nervous system.

Sympatho-adrenomedullary system mediation of the bombesin-induced central inhibition of gastric acid secretion

Possible mechanisms of the inhibitory effect of bombesin on gastric acid secretion were examined in rats anesthetized with urethane. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of bombesin (0.1-3 nmol) dose dependently inhibited the increase in gastric acid secretion induced by both intravenous (i.v.) administration of 2-deoxy-D-glucose 60 mg/kg and electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve (1 mA, 0.5 ms, 3 Hz), but not increase due to i.v. infusion of bethanechol (10 micrograms/kg per min). Such an inhibitory effect of bombesin on the gastric response was markedly reduced by bilateral cutting of the greater splanchnic nerves. The inhibitory effect of bombesin on gastric acid secretion induced by stimulation of the vagus nerve was not modified either by chemical sympathectomy with 6-hydroxydopamine or by bilateral adrenalectomy alone. However, this inhibitory effect of bombesin was abolished under conditions of combined chemical sympathectomy and adrenalectomy. These results suggest that bombesin (i.c.v.) probably excites the sympatho-adrenomedullary system and thus induces inhibition of gastric acid secretion. Furthermore, a dysfunction of the sympathetic or of the adrenomedullary system may well be functionally compensated for by the system with unaltered function.

Effects of restraint and water-immersion stress and insulin on gastric acid secretion in rats

Effects of restraint and water-immersion stress (RWIS) and of insulin injection on gastric acid secretion were investigated in relation to blood glucose levels and to brain glucose uptake in rats. Venous blood glucose levels (VBG) were significantly increased while arterial blood glucose level (ABG) was slightly increased by RWIS. In contrast, ABG and VBG were significantly decreased by administration of insulin; the decrease in ABG was greater than that in VBG. Glucose uptake into the brain, calculated from the ABG-VBG, was significantly decreased both by RWIS loading and by insulin administration. The uptake of [14C] 2-deoxy-D-glucose [( 14C]-2DG) into the brain was also significantly decreased in RWIS-loaded or insulin-treated rats. Gastric acid output was significantly increased both by RWIS loading and by insulin administration. The increased acid output paralleled the decrease of glucose uptake into the brain in RWIS-loaded and insulin-treated rats. Results suggest that RWIS-induced gastric acid secretion is regulated by brain glucose uptake and that this gastric acid secretion is a hypothalamic neuron-mediated event as is insulin-stimulated gastric acid secretion.

Central cholinergic descending pathway to the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus in regulation of gastric functions

A possible role of the cholinergic mechanism within the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (NDV) in the regulation of gastric functions was examined in urethane anesthetized rats. Pretreatment with atropine (1-5 nmole), intracerebroventricularly inhibited the increase in both gastric acid output and mucosal blood flow (MBF), as induced by electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA). Bethanechol, microinjected into the dorsal vagal complex (the NDV, the nucleus tractus solitarius and area postrema) induced dose-dependent (5-30 nmole) increases in gastric acid output and MBF, while nicotine was without effect. Pretreatment with atropine 3 nmole microinjected into the dorsal vagal complex completely blocked the increases induced by electrical stimulation of the LHA. Furthermore, the increases in these gastric parameters induced by the administration of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) were also significantly inhibited by atropine microinjected into the dorsal vagal complex. These results suggest that neurotransmission of the central descending pathway to the NDV in excitatory regulation of gastric functions is probably mediated through cholinergic muscarinic receptors.

Action of atropine on the pancreatic secretory response to secretin before and after cutting the extrinsic nerves of the pancreas in dogs

In two sets of dogs with gastric and pancreatic fistulas, we studied the effect of atropine on the pancreatic secretory response to intravenous secretin before and after cutting the extrinsic nerves of the pancreas, i.e., celiac and superior mesenteric ganglionectomy alone or truncal vagotomy plus celiac and superior mesenteric ganglionectomy. Neither truncal vagotomy alone nor ganglionectomy alone, nor the two together, altered the incremental bicarbonate response to secretin. Irrespective of the degree of integrity of the extrinsic vagal and splanchnic innervation of the pancreas, intravenous atropine (14 nmol/kg X h) significantly (p less than 0.05) depressed the incremental bicarbonate responses to the two lowest (5.2 and 10.3 pmol/kg X h) doses of secretin by 85% and 61%, respectively, but had no significant effect on responses to high doses. We conclude that the pancreatic bicarbonate response to secretin, and the action of atropine on that response, are independent of an intact extrinsic innervation of the gland. The observation of the persistent inhibitory action of atropine after extrinsic denervation of the pancreas is compatible with the hypothesis that endogenous cholinergic activity augments the pancreatic bicarbonate response to secretin.

Gastrin response to a meal before and after cutting the extrinsic nerves of the stomach in the dog

Atropine inhibits the post-prandial gastrin release after truncal vagotomy in the dog. Whether this action of atropine is due to suppression of stimulatory cholinergic fibres in the sympathetic nerves of the stomach and the upper small intestine or due to blockade of intrinsic gastric cholinergic mechanisms is unknown. Conscious dogs were fed a meat meal (35 g/kg body weight) before and after truncal vagotomy and after truncal vagotomy plus coeliac and superior mesenteric ganglionectomy. Experiments were repeated in the presence of atropine (50 micrograms/kg body weight, given as an i.v. bolus 60 min prior to the meal). In another set of dogs, only ganglionectomy was performed and the same experiments were done as in the first set of dogs. Truncal vagotomy enhanced the post-prandial 120 min integrated plasma gastrin response by 2.6 times as compared to the response with the vagus nerves intact. Before truncal vagotomy, atropine enhanced the integrated plasma gastrin response by 2.6 times; after truncal vagotomy atropine suppressed this response by 2.3 times. After truncal vagotomy, with or without atropine, additional coeliac and superior mesenteric ganglionectomy did not alter the integrated plasma gastrin response. With the vagus nerves intact, ganglionectomy alone had no effect on the integrated plasma gastrin response whether or not atropine was given. The finding that atropine suppresses the post-prandial plasma gastrin response to a meal after truncal vagotomy and coeliac and superior mesenteric ganglionectomy, i.e. cutting the extrinsic nerves of the stomach and the upper small intestine, suggests the existence of stimulatory cholinergic intrinsic fibres located within the stomach.

Corticotropin-releasing factor. Mechanisms to inhibit gastric acid secretion in conscious dogs

Immunoreactivity similar to that of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is found in regions of the central nervous system that modulate autonomic responses, including gastrointestinal functions. We examined the central nervous system effects of ovine CRF on gastric acid secretion in conscious dogs. Male beagle dogs (11-13 kg) were fitted with chronic intracerebroventricular cannulae and gastric fistulae. Gastric acid secretion in response to intravenously administered gastric secretory stimuli was measured by in vitro titration of gastric juice to pH 7.0 and in response to an intragastric meal by in vivo intragastric titration at pH 5.0. Plasma gastrin was determined by radioimmunoassay. CRF microinjected into the third cerebral ventricle decreased pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion for 3 h (P less than 0.01) dose-dependently (0.2-6.0 nmol X kg-1). CRF did not inhibit histamine-stimulated gastric secretion but significantly (P less than 0.01) decreased the secretory response after 2-deoxy-D-glucose for 3 h. The gastric inhibitory action of intracerebroventricularly administered CRF on pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion was completely abolished by ganglionic blockade with chlorisondamine. The opioid antagonist, naloxone, and the vasopressin antagonist, [1-deaminopenicillamine,2-(O-methyl) tyrosine,8-arginine]-vasopressin, significantly suppressed the inhibitory effect of CRF on gastric acid secretion stimulated by pentagastrin. In contrast, truncal vagotomy did not prevent the inhibition of gastric acid secretion induced by CRF. CRF (0.2-2.0 nmol X kg-1) administered intracerebroventricularly decreased gastric acid secretion stimulated by 200-ml liquid meals containing 8% peptone. CRF did not affect plasma gastrin concentrations. These results indicate that CRF microinjected into the third cerebral ventricle inhibits gastric acid secretion in conscious dogs. CRF-induced inhibition of gastric acid secretion appears to be mediated by the sympathetic nervous system and, in part, by opiate and vasopressin-dependent mechanisms.

Possible involvement of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in vagal-mediated gastric acid secretion in rats

Effects of several non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin (ASA), indomethacin (IM), flurbiprofen (FP), ibuprofen (IP), phenylbutazone (PBZ) and flufenamic acid (FA) were studied on the gastric ulceration and gastric acid secretion induced by restraint and water-immersion stress (RWIS) or various secretagogues in rats. These drugs significantly increased ulcer formation. IM (1, 3 and 10 mg/kg, s.c.) reduced gastric mucosal prostaglandin (PG) content dose-dependently. There was an appreciable correlation between this decrease in the PG content of gastric tissue and associated ulceration. The gastric acid secretion induced by the peripheral secretagogues, methacholine, gastrin and histamine, was not significantly influenced by IM pretreatment. In contrast, the gastric acid secretion induced by the vagal mediated secretagogues, insulin, 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-D-G) and RWIS, was markedly increased by IM pretreatment. These effects were not observed in vagotomized rats. By intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of IM, no influence was observed on the gastric acid secretion and ulcer formation induced by 2-D-G or RWIS. These results suggest that acidic NSAIDs potentiate the gastric acid output induced by stimulation of vagus nerve activity, and prostaglandins (PGs) may influence gastric acid output by regulating vagus nerve activity.

Bromocriptine inhibits 2-deoxy-D-glucose-stimulated gastric acid secretion in the rat

The influence of bromocriptine on the secretagogue-induced gastric acid secretion was examined in rats. The drug inhibited the gastric acid secretion centrally stimulated by 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) in anesthetized or conscious rats. Apomorphine also prevented 2DG-induced acid secretion in anesthetized rats but not in conscious rats. Neither bromocriptine nor apomorphine significantly influenced the acid secretion induced peripherally by electrical vagus stimulation or gastrin. The antisecretory effect of bromocriptine was reversed by dopamine antagonists in anesthetized or conscious rats, but not by apomorphine in anesthetized rats. The results suggest that in rats, the antisecretory effect of bromocriptine on 2DG-stimulated acid secretion is partly due to its central dopamine agonistic action, but that of apomorphine may be due to dopaminergic plus other mechanisms.

Gastric antral ulcers produced by the combined administration of indomethacin with 2-deoxy-D-glucose in the rat

The influence of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) on indomethacin ulcers was studied in rats. 2DG (200 mg/kg i.v.) produced large round ulcers in the lesser curvature of the antrum and aggravated lesions of the corpus 6 h after treatments in indomethacin (40 mg/kg i.p.)-treated rats. Insulin (5 units/kg i.v.) also produced gastric antral ulcers similarly to 2DG. Antral ulcers were revealed rather clearly 48 h after the administration of indomethacin and 2DG when the corpus lesion index was reduced. 2DG or insulin had only a slight influence on the severity of other experimental gastric ulcers. Peripheral gastric secretagogues, bethanechol (1 mg/kg s.c. X 2) or histamine (10 mg/kg s.c. X 2) did not produce antral ulcers at the gastric secretory dose in the indomethacin-treated rats. High doses of atropine (1.0 and 10 mg/kg s.c.) prevented gastric antral ulcers. The combined administration of indomethacin with 2DG produced gastric antral ulcers similar to human gastric ulcers in rats. The combination of gastric acid secretion, vagus nerve stimulation and some other factors may be involved in gastric antral ulcers produced in rats.

Central control of peripheral circulating somatostatin in dogs: effect of 2-deoxyglucose

Circulating plasma somatostatin concentrations are known to fluctuate in response to nutrients and hormones. However, little is known about neural or central nervous system (CNS) control of somatostatin secretion. To test whether peripheral circulating somatostatin is influenced by a central stimulus, 2-deoxyglucose (37.5 mg/kg) was infused into a lateral cerebral ventricle of six conscious dogs over a period of 15 min. Plasma somatostatin levels rose from a base line of 105 +/- 6 pg/ml (mean +/- SE) to a peak of 154 +/- 10 pg/ml (P less than 0.005) at 30 min after the onset of the infusion. Somatostatin levels were still significantly elevated (P less than 0.025) at 60 min (119 +/- 6 pg/ml) and thereafter gradually returned toward base line. Plasma glucose and glucagon levels increased in response to intraventricular 2-deoxyglucose. Glucose concentrations rose from 105 +/- 5 mg/dl to peak at 203 +/- 16 mg/dl (P less than 0.005) at 80 min and remained elevated to 120 min. The concentration of plasma glucagon increased from 41 +/- 6 to 92 +/- 18 pg/ml at 60 min (P less than 0.05) and then declined. In marked contrast to intraventricular 2-deoxyglucose, similar concentrations of 2-deoxyglucose administered intravenously (n = 4) resulted in a slight fall in plasma somatostatin. Intraventricular saline did not result in a change in plasma somatostatin. It is concluded that peripheral circulating somatostatin may be susceptible to central nervous system control.

Esophageal and duodenal approach for testing duodenogastric reflux in dogs

A modified Komarov-Marks esophagostomy is described. It was the aim of our experiments to show that this procedure does not harm the vagal innervation of the stomach. The vagal function was assessed by testing (1) basal secretion, (2) 2-deoxy-D-glucose-stimulated secretion, (3) pentagastrin-stimulated secretion, and (4) serum gastrin levels in five mongrel dogs. Each test was performed at least three times in each dog before and after the esophagostomy procedure, respectively. The secretion rates were not affected by surgery. It is concluded that cervical esophagostomy in dogs does not affect vagal stimulation of gastric acid secretion. For the application of tracer substances into the duodenum, two types of conduits are described: (1) a short jejunal segment and (2) a jejunal segment with an invagination valve. The pros and cons of these procedures are discussed.