The effect of catecholamines on gastric mucosal flow.

The effect of intravenous administration of adrenaline, noradrenaline, and isoprenaline on gastric mucosal flow, measured by hydrogen clearance techniques, showed that small doses of adrenaline induced slight mucosal vasodilatation in anaesthetized cats. In both anaesthetized and conscious animals both noradrenaline and large doses of adrenaline produced mucosal vasoconstriction, whereas isoprenaline increased gastric mucosal flow. Similar effects were observed in acute experiments after vagotomy. In the awake animal noradrenaline, adrenaline, and isoprenaline depressed pentagastrin-stimulated acid secretion.