The intestinal phase of gastric secretion.

Abstract

1. In dogs provided with Heidenhain gastric pouches and Thirty‐Vella loops of duodenum and jejunum, gastric secretion was stimulated both by distending the intestinal loop and by perfusion with (a) intestinal chyme or (b) dilute hydrochloric acid or (c) acetylcholine.2. The gastric secretory response was abolished by the prior application to the mucosa of the intestinal loop of 5 per cent procaine solution for 15–30 min., but not by 3 per cent procaine solution.3. The secretory responses to distension and perfusion of the loop with intestinal chyme or dilute acid persisted after denervation of the vascular pedicle of the gastric pouch.4. The secretory responses did not appear for 15‐30 min. after the commencement of mechanical or chemical stimulation of the intestinal loop, and they often persisted for 30–45 min. after cessation of stimulation.5. These findings indicate the existence in the small intestinal mucosa of a hormonal mechanism for the stimulation of gastric secretion by meals.