The antisecretory action of the benzimidazole sulphoxide derivative B 823-10, 2[(4-methoxy-3-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)-sulphinyl]- 5-trifluoromethyl(1H)-benzimidazole, was compared with the effect of the corresponding sulphide B 823-08 in several in vivo and in vitro and in vitro test systems. The sulphide B 823-08 and the sulphoxide B 823-10 were found to be equipotent in the Shay rat. The sulphide was found to inhibit H+ secretion in intact rabbit gastric glands and enriched guinea-pig parietal cells with lower potency than the corresponding sulphoxide. The relative potency in antisecretory activity (sulphide/sulphoxide) decreased in the following rank order: Shay rat: gastric glands: parietal cells. Purified K+/H+-ATPase was not blocked by the sulphide, whereas the sulphoxide inhibited the overall as well as the partial reactions of this enzyme. In all in vitro systems tested, inhibition of H+ secretion and enzyme activity by the sulphoxide, but not by the sulphide, was antagonized by SH-compounds such as dithiothreitol. It is concluded that in vivo sulphoxidation of the sulphide plays an important role in acid inhibition. In vitro an additional inhibitory mechanism of the sulphide has to be considered.