The role of cholinergic excitation in the formation of histamine within the rat gastric mucosa.

In the absence of the antrum, central vagal excitation and distension of the stomach accelerated the rate of formation of gastric mucosal histamine. The effect of vagus stimulation was abolished by truncal vagotomy or atropine whereas that of distension by atropine. After truncal vagotomy, distension was still effective in accelerating the formation of the amine. Furthermore, mucosal histamine formation in the fasting state was reduced by truncal vagotomy and atropine injection.