[On the significance of beta-adrenergic stimuli for the gastric secretion in humans]

In adults of both sexes, the influence on the basal and the maximal by means of pentagastrin stimulated gastric secretion of a single intravenous injection of 8 mg (0.09 to 0.16 mg/kg) oxyfedrine or of two intramuscular injections of 1 mg (0.014 to 0.016 mg/kg) or of 2.5 mg (0.033 to 0.045 mg/kg) in each case isoproterenol, consecutively administered at an interval of 15 minutes, was studied. At a dose which evokes cardiovascular responses isoproterenol does not produce a significant change of the secretory rates of H+, C1-, Na+, K+, Ca++ and Mg++ or of the ionic composition of gastric juice both during basal and maximal acid output. Oxyfedrine shows only during maximal acid stimulation some effects on gastric secretion: a significant rise of the concentration and secretory rate of H+ and of the secretory rate of C1- and a significant decline of the concentration of Na+ and of both the concentration and secretory rate of Mg++. Beta-adrenergic receptors seem not to play any part in the regulation of the production of gastric juice. Possibly, the action of oxyfedrine on the stimulated gastric mucosa may be mediated by a stimulation of alpha-adrenergic receptors or by inhibition of the activity of 3',5'-AMP-phosphodiesterase.