[Effect of cimetidine on the gastric evacuatory function in peptic ulcer patients].

A modified x-ray method was used in 28 patients with peptic ulcer of the duodenum to examine, at an interval of 3 days, the rate of evacuation from the stomach of radiographic contrast capsules ingested together with trial food intakes. Assay of the rate of evacuation from the stomach of the radiographic contrast capsules demonstrated that as compared to controls (without cimetidine), a single oral intake of 200 micrograms cimetidine exerts a statistically significant stimulating effect on evacuation from the stomach of the capsules taken with both semolina and appropriate breakfast. The stimulating effect of cimetidine manifested itself commonly 1 h after food intake. It is suggested that dramatic inhibition of hydrochloric acid secretion plays an important role in the mechanism of the stimulating action of cimetidine, as a result of which the inhibitory enterogastral reflex that regulates gastric evacuation is put out of service.