The Effect of Intravenous Protein Hydrolysates on the Stomach

Summary 1.Protein hydrolysates, administered intravenously, stimulated gastric acidity in 55 per cent of tests performed. 2.Factors influencing the acidity were (a) histamine content, (b) pH of the solution, (c) the nature of the diluent used with the protein hydrolyaste. 3.Protein hydrolysa,tes in 5 percent dextrose solution produced gastric stimulation in less instances than those in distilled water. 4.Gastric motility was unaffected by intravenous administration of protein hydrolysates. 5.Neither vagotomy nor thoracic sympathectomy and splanchnicectomy inhibited the gastric response to parenteral protein hydrolysates. Atropine sulfate in small doses given intravenously did not reduce the gastric acidity stimulated by protein hydrolysate infusion; a larger dose, 1/60 grain, noticeably decreased the acid response. 6.Stimulation of gastric acid formation by intravenously administered protein hydrolysates is probably accomplished through (a) a relatively high histamine content, (b) an acid pH, (c) direct action on the gastric glands by the hydrolysate itself, or by a liberated hormone, or (d) by a combination of the three foregoing factors.