[Effect of intraventricular administration of histamine and its receptor agonists on pentagastrin-induced gastric acid secretion in rats].

The present study shows the dual effects of intraventricularly injected histamine (0.25-2.0 micrograms/5 microliters) on pentagastrin-induced gastric acid secretion. Male Wistar rats weighing 200-300 g were anesthetized with intraperitoneal sodium pentobarbital. Gastric acid was continuously washed out with 37 degrees C saline solution by means of a perfusion pump. On the background of continuous intravenous infusion of pentagastrin [7.5 micrograms/(kg.h),] histamine (0.25 microgram/5 microliters) or 2-pyridylethylamine (PEA, 10 micrograms/5 microliters), a H1-receptor agonist, was injected into the third ventricle through a chronically implanted canula. The acid output decreased 10 min after injection and did not recover at 90 min. When the dose of histamine was increased to 1.0 micrograms or 2.0 micrograms, dual effects appeared. The acid output decreased respectively in 73% or 50% of the animals, while in the rest 27% and 50% of the animals, the acid output increased. H2-receptor agonist dimaprit (10 micrograms/5 microliters, i.c.v.) or impromidine (0.1 micrograms/5 microliters, i.c.v.) had no pronounced effect on pentagastrin-induced acid secretion. Pretreatment with diphenhydramine (16 micrograms/0.2 ml or 32 micrograms/0.2 ml, i.m.) abolished the inhibitory effect of histamine and PEA on acid secretion. These results suggest that histamine may be involved in the central regulation of gastric acid secretion, and the inhibitory effect may be mediated by H1-receptors in the brain. The mechanism underlying the production of the dual effects of histamine is unknown.