Effect of cimetidine on gastric mucosal histamine and histidine decarboxylase activity in rats.

In conscious rats and in anaesthetized gastric fistula rats, the effects of low and high doses of the histamine H2-receptor antagonist cimetidine was studied on gastric mucosal histamine concentration and histidine decarboxylase activity with or without concomitant administration of pentagastrin. In conscious animals a singleinjection of pentagastrin reduced gastric mucosal histamine concentration and elevated histidine decarboxylase activity. This effect was not antagonized by low doses of cimetidine. High doses of cimetidine, like pentagastrin, reduced the histamine concentration and elevated the histidine decarboxylase activity. In anaesthetized rats low doses of cimetidine and reduced gastric acid secretion. The effects of cimetidine on gastric mucosal histamine and histidine decarboxylase were less pronounced than in conscious animals. The histidine decarboxylase stimulating activity of high doses of cimetidine was not abolished by gastric perfusion with acid suggesting that endogenously released gastrin is not involved. A feedback relationship between the blockade of the target organ and increased histamine biosynthesis is discussed.