The effect of aminophylline on pentagastrin-induced secretion and motor activity of totally isolated canine stomach perfused extracorporeally.

Totally isolated canine stomachs, perfused extracorporeally with homologous blood of living oxygenerator-dogs, were used for the study of gastric secretion. Aminophylline and pentagastrin were infused into the gastric arterial system separately or combined. Aminophylline, infused alone, did not stimulate gastric secretion. However when aminophylline was administered during the infusion of pentagastrin, it significantly augmented the action of this peptide on gastric acid secretion. Aminophylline did not alter myoelectrical and mechanical response to pentagastrin nor did it affect the myoelectrical activity of the nonstimulated stomach. Gastric arterial perfusion pressure and gastric peripheral resistance were reduced during infusion of aminophylline alone or in combination with pentagastrin.