Dose of Histamine for Maximal Stimulation of Gastric Acid Secretion

Subcutaneous histamine tests were performed in 13 control subjects using 1.2-, 1.6-, 2.0-, 2.4-, 2.8-, and 3.2-mg doses of histamine acid phosphate and in 18 patients with duodenal ulcer using 1.6-, 2.0-, 2.4-, 2.8-, 3.2-, and 3.6-mg doses of histamine. The results indicate that the minimal dose of histamine which stimulates maximal acid secretion is determined by the maximal acid secretory capacity of the stomach (i.e., the parietal cell mass) of an individual. The minimal dose of histamine acid phosphate which stimulated maximal acid secretion was 2.4 mg or 50 μg per kg of body weight for control subjects and 2.8 mg or 65 μper kg of body weight for patients with duodenal ulcers. Subcutaneous administration of supramaximal doses of histamine on different days showed a reduction of acid output.