Evidence for the independence of K- and HCl-efflux into gastric secretion

Abstract

Further evidence is presented that the concentration of K in gastric secretion varies extensively (0.3–12.3 mEq/L.) with time following histamine injection—in refutation of the previously reported constancy. Interrelations among the concentrations of major electrolytes and volume rate following single subcutaneous injections were analyzed for individual experiments (7 dogs) and also statistically. Concentrations of neutral Cl, Na, and Na plus K varied inversely with total acidity, according to the usual rectilinear relation. K was wholly uncorrelated with acidity (r = –0.13) and volume rate (r = 0.08). The only regularity in K behavior was in relation to time following histamine administration. The characteristics of these concentration-time curves suggest that histamine triggers the efflux of K into gastric secretion by some mechanism which is independent of HCl efflux and, therefore, of the formation of parietal secretion. The two processes may be initiated simultaneously, but proceed thereafter in wholly independent manner. Several different explanations suggest themselves, but the data are still inadequate for preferential acceptance of any one of them.