Inhibition of gastric acid secretion by immunoneutralization of endogenous brain thyrotropin-releasing hormone.

Previous studies have shown that intracisternal (i.c.), but not intravenous administration of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), an endogenous tripeptide (pGlu-His-Pro-NH2), produces a time-, dose-dependent and vagus-mediated stimulation of acid secretion in rats. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that endogenous brain TRH plays a role in regulation of acid secretion in the pylorus-ligation model. In confirmation of previous reports, i.c. TRH (1 microgram) significantly (P less than 0.01) stimulated gastric acid output, gastric secretory volume and decreased gastric intraluminal pH. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of TRH antiserum (anti-TRH) 30 min prior to pyloric occlusion significantly reduced acid output, secretory volume and raised gastric pH. This inhibitory gastric acid secretory response to i.c.v. anti-TRH appears to be specific since i.c.v. infusion of normal rabbit serum or antisera raised against neurotensin (NT), Leu-enkephalin (L-enk), gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), somatostatin (SRIF) and alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) were without measurable effect. The findings of this study indicate that endogenous brain TRH, but not NT, L-enk, GnRH, SRIF or alpha-MSH plays a physiological role in regulation of acid secretion.