Hypothalamic stimulation induces acid secretion, hypoglycemia, and hyperinsulinemia

Electrical stimulation of the posterior hypothalamus brought about an increase in plasma insulin accompanied by a fall in blood glucose. If glucose fell below 55 mg/100 ml, gastric secretion of HCl ensued. The same relationship between acid secretion and glucose was observed when hypoglycemia was induced by intravenous injection of insulin. Stimulation outside the posterior hypothalamus did not give either a fall in glucose or an increase in gastric acid secretion. It is concluded that posterior hypothalamic stimulation causes gastric acid secretion by inducing insulin release and a consequent hypoglycemia.