Inhibition of gastric acid secretion by intracerebroventricularly administered prostaglandin e2 in anaesthetized rats.

1 The effect of intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v) administered prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on gastric acid secretion was studied in anaesthetized rats. 2 Intracerebroventricular injections of 1 and 3 micrograms of PGE2 inhibited gastric acid secretion induced by insulin, electrical vagal stimulation and acetylcholine in a dose-dependent manner. 3 Intravenous injections of 1,3 and 10 micrograms of PGE2 had no effect on insulin-stimulated gastric acid output. 4 The results indicate that upon i.c.v. administration PGE2 inhibits gastric acid secretion by acting centrally and not peripherally after leakage from the central nervous system.