Effect of potassium chloride on gastric acid secretion and gastrin release in humans

The effect of potassium chloride on gastric acid secretion and gastrin release was studied in 6 healthy human beings. On 3 separate days and in random order, subjects received an intragastric infusion of 0.5 L of a glucose-saline solution to which had been added 40 mmol KCl, 40 mmol NaCl, or no additional salts. All test solutions stimulated acid secretion and gastrin release to a similar degree. While potassium ions play a critical role in acid secretion by parietal cells (via the H+, K(+)-ATPase), KCl administered into the gastric lumen at a concentration of 80 mmol/L has no effect on acid secretion in man.