Inhibitory effect of glucagon on gastric acid secretion induced by methacholine, insulin, tease-feeding and antral distention in dogs.

Acid secretion from Heidenhain pouches of dogs stimulated by methacholine was inhibited 34 to 45 per cent by glucagon (25 micrograms/kg subcutaneously or 25 micrograms/kg/hr by continuous intravenous infusion). Acid secretion induced by insulin was inhibited 25 to 62 per cent for 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hr by a single s.c. dose of glucagon 10 micrograms/kg. Continuous intravenous infusion of glucagon 25 micrograms/kg/hr or of a hypertonic glucose solution (20 per cent w/v) reduced the response to 0.5 unit/kg of insulin by 78 to 84 per cent for more than 3 1/2 hr in 4 dogs with vagally innervated gastric pouch. The response to food teasing was decreased 66 to 99 per cent by 10 micrograms/kg of glucagon s.c. The acid response of vagally innervated fundic pouches to repeated distention of the pyloric region was completely abolished by 3 doses of 10 micrograms/kg. Glucagon is effective in inhibiting acid secretion induced by insulin, sham feeding and distention of the pylorus.