Non-gastrin, intestinal-phase secretion. Experimental confirmation in the dog

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Physiology

Background:

• The intestinal phase of gastric acid secretion is a recognized physiological process.
• Previous studies suggested a significant contribution of this phase to overall gastric acid production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the existence and magnitude of the intestinal phase of gastric acid stimulation in dogs.
• To determine the role of gastrin in mediating intestinal phase gastric acid secretion.

Main Methods:

• Surgical preparation of dogs with Heidenhain pouch, gastric fistula, and Thiry-Vella loop.
• Perfusion of the jejunal loop with liver extract or saline.
• Measurement of serum gastrin levels and gastric acid output.

Main Results:

• Perfusion with liver extract significantly increased gastric acid output from both the Heidenhain pouch and gastric fistula.
• Serum gastrin levels did not change during jejunal perfusion, but increased after antral perfusion.
• The observed acid response was a fraction of maximal pentagastrin stimulation.

Conclusions:

• The intestinal phase of gastric acid stimulation exists in dogs but is of lower magnitude than previously reported.
• Gastrin is unlikely to be the primary mediator of the intestinal phase of gastric acid secretion in dogs.
• A different humoral agent may be responsible for eliciting this intestinal phase.