Histamine dosage for maximal gastric secretion in Asians - a reappraisal

Paired augmented histamine tests using 40 microgram 60 microgram histamine acid phosphate (HAP) per kg body weight were conducted on each of 57 Asian subjects. The mean peak acid output (PAO) for the total series to the two different doses of HAP was 22.3 mEq/hr and 23.3 mEq/hr respectively and the difference was not statistically significant according to the paired t test. There were similarly no significant difference in PAO to the two doses of HAP in the following groups of subjects: 26 Chinese, 17 Indians, 14 Malays; 24 subjects with duodenal ulcer, 16 controls; 28 subjects with body weight below 50 kg, 19 between 50-60 kg and 10 exceeding 60 kg. These findings differ from earlier reports that for maximal gastric secretion Asians required a higher dosage of histamine compared with Caucasian subjects.