Postprandial acid secretion and serum gastrin response before and after exclusion of the proximal small intestine in cats.

The Heidenhain pouch acid output to graded does of pentagastrin and the maximal Heidenhain pouch acid and serum gastrin responses to feeding were determined in conscious cats before and after exclusion of the proximal small intestine. Exclusion did not change the secretory capacity and sensitivity of the oxyntic glands to pentagastrin. The acid and gastrin (components III and IV) responses to feeding were also unaltered. Duodenal gastrin is therefore of no significance for the postprandial acid response. Nevertheless, the duodenum is implicated in the postprandial acid secretion, since food in the duodenum release a factor that augments the maximal acid response to exogenous gastrin. The unchanged postprandial acid response after exclusion implies that this factor is not localized exclusively in the proximal small intestine.