Oxygen consumption during cimetidine and prostaglandin E2 inhibition of acid secretion.

Oxygen consumption was determined during cimetidine and 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 inhibition of acid secretion in exteriorized segments of the greater curvature of dog stomach. Steady-state acid secretion during histamine infusion correlated well with O2 consumption (r = 0.85, P less than 0.01). Cimetidine and 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 inhibition of acid secretion produced a reduction of oxygen consumption to resting levels. In contrast, oxygen consumption did not decrease appreciably during thiocyanate inhibition of acid secretion. These observations suggest that the inhibitory action of cimetidine and 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 precedes, whereas that of thiocyanate is at a point beyond the transfer of energy to the process of acid production.