Inhibition of histamine biosynthesis and gastric function in the rat: effect on pentagastrin-induced gastric acid secretion.

A very simple and rapid method to measure gastric acid secretion in the conscious unoperated fasted rat is reported. Antisecretory activity of cimetidine and hypersecretory activity of pentagastrin are detected by this procedure. Pentagastrin induces gastric acid secretion and causes an increase by 2-fold in histidine decarboxylase activity. There is a delay between the increase of gastric acid output and the appearance of histidine decarboxylase activity. Co-administration of monofluoromethyl histidine, a specific irreversible inhibitor of histidine decarboxylase, does not modify the peak response to pentagastrin but shortens the duration of stimulation. We suggest from this data that histamine biosynthesis is needed for maintenance of elevated gastric acid secretion.