Effect of the H2-receptor antagonists (burimamide and metiamide) on gastric secretion stimulated by histamine and its methyl derivatives.

This study was done to determine the comparative effectiveness of burimamide and metiamide as antagonists of gastric secretion stimulated by histamine and its methyl derivatives, Nalpha-methylhistamine, N-alpha,N-alpha-dimethylhistamine and 4-methylhistamine, in dogs with vagally denervated (Heidenhain pouches) and vagally innervated gastric mucosal septal pouches (Pavlov-type pouches). The secretagogues were always given by continuous i.v. infusion to produce steady states of secretory activity in the fasted conscious dogs; the antagonists were given by either rapid "bolus" i.v. injection or continuous i.v. infusion. With bolus injections, both antagonists promptly inhibited the secretion produced by histamine and its methyl derivatives. When control secretory rates were similar, 40 mumol of burimamide per kg and 4 mumol of metiamide per kg produced the same degree of inhibition. When the antagonists were also given by continuous i.v. infusion, the difference between them was greater, metiamide being 15 to 17 times more potent than burimamide. The effectiveness of the antagonists was not changed by vagal denervation. Symptoms of toxicity to burimamide developed at doses in excess of 30 mumol/kg/hr; none occurred with doses of metiamide ranging from 1.8 to 7.5 mumol/kg/hr.