Inhibition of Gastric Acid Secretion by p-Chloromercuribenzoate

Abstract

In mouse stomach in vitro p-chloromercuribenzoate (CIHgB) inhibits that fraction of acid secretion which can be stimulated by carbaminoylcholine but has little effect on the unstimulated fraction of acid secretion. ClhgB acts similarly on the frog gastric mucosa stimulated by histamine. The inhibition can be quantitatively explained by assuming that CIHgB combines with 2 sulfhydryl groups. CIHGB inhibits lactic acid production by combining with 1 sulfhydryl group but the inhibition of HC1 production is not due to a suppression of glycolysis. Low CIHgB concentration inhibit only that fraction of O2 consumption which is required for acid secretion. Higher concentration of CIHgB inhibit additional 02-consuming processes not associated with acid production. Carboninoylcholine does not compete directly with CIHgB.