The effect of chemical sympathectomy on insulin-stimulated gastric secretion in dogs

Administration of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) causes selective acute degeneration of the adrenergic nerve terminals--that is, a reversible chemical sympathectomy. The effect of this drug was studied on the insulin-stimulated gastric secretion. Insulin-stimulated (0.15-0.4 IU/kg) gastric acid and pepsin output and serum gastrin were measured before and after 6-OHDA treatment (40 mg/kg) in gastric fistula dogs. Chemical sympathectomy resulted in a highly significant increase in acid and pepsin secretion. However, the hypoglycemic gastrin release was unaltered except the peak response, which showed a significant reduction. These data confirm earlier observations that the sympathetic innervation of the stomach has an inhibitory effect on gastric secretion in the dog. Furthermore it seems that the adrenergic fibers in the vagus nerve might have some modulating effect on the insulin-induced gastrin release.