HISTAMINE IN HUMAN GASTRIC MUCOSA

Abstract

The histamine activity extractable from human gastric mucosa was studied in 10 cases. In 9 of the cases extracts were made of the fundic mucosa and were found to contain activity equivalent to 3.5 to 24.1 mg. histamine/ kg. fundic mucosa, with an avg. value of 10.2 mg. histamine/ kg. mucosa. In 4 cases, extracts were made of antral mucosa. The histamine activity of these extracts ranged from 3.0 to 12.5 mg. histamine/kg. mucosa, with an avg. value of 5.8 mg. histamine/kg. mucosa. In 3 cases the histamine activity of the fundic mucosa was, compared with that of the antral mucosa. The antral mucosa contained much less activity than the fundic mucosa in 1 case, but in the other 2 the conc. was approx. the same. Upon subcut. inj. into dogs with Heidenhain pouches all of the extracts produced a prompt secretion of acid gastric juice. The possible significance and some of the limitations of these results are discussed.