Influence of nitric oxide on histamine and carbachol-induced gastric Acid secretion in the common african toad - bufo regularis

The study aimed to determine the influence of nitric oxide (NO) on the action of histamine and carbachol on acid secretion in the common African toad - Bufo regularis. Gastric acidity was determined by titration method. The acid secretion was determined when nitric oxide was absent following administration of NO synthase inhibitor; N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and when nitric oxide was in excess by administration of exogenous NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Histamine or carbachol increased acid secretion in the toad. Acid output increased from 0.32 +/- 0.04 mEq/15min to 0.56 +/- 0.08 and 0.61 +/- 0.05 mEq/15min for histamine and carbachol respectively [P < 0.05]. Pretreatment of the toad with L-NAME produced further increases in histamine (0.62 +/- 0.06 mEq/15min) or carbachol (0.74 +/- 0.06 mEq/15min) induced acid secretion respectively. SNP however, completely abolished the acid secretion stimulated by either histamine or carbachol. It was therefore concluded that nitric oxide has a negative influence on the histamine or carbachol-stimulated acid secretion in the toad - Bufo regularis.