[Hyperchlorhydria of the stomach following hypothalamus lesions in the rat]

Effects of ventromedial hypothalamic (VMH corresponding Nucleus ventromedialis hypothalami NVM) lesion on gastric acid output were examined. Acid output was determined by using the gastric perfusion method in rats anesthetized with urethan. With lesion of the ventromedial hypothalamus a significant increase in acid output occurred 28 days after lesion. Basal acid output increased from 5.9 +/- 2.5 to 32.2 mumol H+ X h-1 and stimulated acid output increased from 15.4 +/- 7.2 to 75.3 +/- 15.3 mumol H+ X h-1. Gastric hypersecretion in rats with VMH lesions was due to a vagally-mediated gastric stimulation. This model is useful to trial drugs which reduce gastric acidity.