Abstract

Previous studies had shown that caffeine when given alone does not stimulate gastric acid secretion in the dog but does in the cat and man. The present study shows that theophylline given alone does not stimulate gastric secretion in the dog. It is demonstrated, however, that caffeine, theophylline, theobromine and xanthine increase or potentiate the effect of histamine on gastric secretion in dogs with pouches of the entire stomach. Caffeine also potentiates the gastric secretory stimulation produced by Urecholine (a parasympathomimetic drug) in dogs with pouches of the entire stomach and greatly increases the secretory response to a meal of horse meat in Heidenhain pouch dogs. The possible mechanisms of these effects are discussed.