THE EFFECT OF ELECTRIC CURRENT ON GASTRIC SECRETION AND POTENTIAL

Abstract

A portion of the pernostonized dog''s stomach (21 sq. cm.) was placed in a lucite chamber that contained 2 pairs of electrodes. One pair of electrodes was used for the application of current across the stomach wall and the other pair for the measurement of the potential difference. The rate of secretion of HC1 (from titration and pH data) was measured at 10 min. intervals. Current was applied for 10 min. periods from serosa to mucosa and in the opposite direction in both the secreting and non-secreting stomach. When current 7-80 milliamperes (ma.) was sent from the serosa to the mucosa in the secreting stomach (histamine stimulated) there was an increase in the rate of secretion of HCl followed by a relatively rapid return to the original rate. When com-parable amts. of current were applied in the opposite direction there was a decrease in the secretion of HC1 fol-lowed by a much slower return to the original rate. Follow-ing this latter procedure the potential difference across the stomach was depressed and there was a close parallel be-tween the recovery of the potential and secretory rate. Application of current (10-150 ma.) in either direction to the non-secreting stomach did not result in the secretion of HC1.