Effect of Bilateral Adrenalectomy on Gastric Acid and Pepsin Secretion from Gastric Fistulas and Heidenhain Pouches in Dogs

Abstract

Summary The effect on gastric secretion of bilateral adrenalectomy was studied in dogs with a vagally innervated gastric fistula and a vagally denervated Heidenhain pouch. Before adrenalectomy, maximal acid output from the gastric fistula was the same with stimulation by histamine or gastrin; bilateral adrenalectomy reduced maximal acid output to both of these stimulants by about 50%. Before adrenalectomy, maximal acid output from the Heidenhain pouch with stimulation by gastrin was about 50% of the value observed with histamine; bilateral adrenalectomy reduced the response to histamine by about 50% but did not change the response to gastrin, so that the maximal responses to these two stimulants were then about equal. Pepsin output from the gastric fistula in response to histamine or gastrin was not significantly altered by adrenalectomy. Hydrocortisone restored acid secretion to normal. In response to large doses of histamine, adrenalectomized animals collapsed. This collapse was due to severe hypotension.