Increasing acid response to a meal in the chronic Heidenhain pouch

Heidenhain pouches were established in four mongrel dogs. Acid secretory values were studied in response to a meal, both after operation and six to eight months later. Large increases in the acid responses of the Heidenhain pouch to a meal were noted over a period of time. Mechanisms accountable for this acid increase were studied, including serum gastrin response, pepsin activity, and morphologic changes in the pouch. Regeneration or reinnervation of vagal fibers may occur at a subthreshold level but is not well documented. The necessity of repeated control studies in long-term evaluation using the Heidenhain pouch is emphasized.