Heidenhain pouch distension as a stimulus for acid and pepsin secretion.

Heidenhain pouches, in dogs with simple gastric fistulae, were distended with saline (30, 60 and 90 ml). Pouch acid and pepsin increased linearly with increasing saline volume. Additional pentagastrin augmented the acid but antagonized the pepsin responses. Atropine depressed both the acid and pepsin responses to distention. Ganglionic blockade and local anesthetization of the secretory mucosa also depressed the acid but spared the pepsin response.