Inhibition of basal and stimulated gastric acid secretion by an enkephalin analogue.

The effect of a synthetic enkephalin analogue (Sandoz FF33-824: DAMME) on basal and submaximally stimulated gastric acid secretion was investigated in six healthy hypersecretors. Basal acid secretion was markedly inhibited by the enkephalin analogue. When gastric secretion was stimulated by a continuous intravenous infusion of 100 ng/kg/h of pentagastrin the enkephalin analogue reduced acid output by 50%. Intravenous naloxone reversed the subjective effects of the enkephalin analogue but did not reverse the inhibitory effect on basal and stimulated acid secretion.