Antral gastrin and somatostatin cell populations in rats after chronic administration of histamine.

Variations in the size of the antral G and D cell populations under the effect of chronic stimulation of acid secretion with histamine were investigated in male Wistar rats. Osmotic minipumps delivering either 0.9% saline or histamine dihydrochloride (4.5 mg/kg/h) were implanted subcutaneously in gastric-fistula rats. Gastric secretion was collected prior to the implantation of the pump, after 7 days and after 14 days. Total antral G and D cell numbers and the G/D ratio were estimated at the end of the experiment. Administration of histamine during 14 days did not induce significant changes in the number of either G or D cells in the antrum despite a 3-fold increase in acid secretion.