AJNTISOMATOSTATIN SERUM INCREASES LEVELS OF HORMONES FROM THE PITUITARY AND GUT, BUT NOT FROM THE PANCREAS

Abstract

The effects of antisomatostatin serum upon the levels of growth hormone [GH], glucagon-like immunoreactivity (GLI), glucagon, insulin and postprandial triglyceride levels were examined in a group of 5 dogs before and after a fat-rich meal. Within 1 min after the injection of sheep antisomatostatin, plasma GH and GLI levels increased significantly above baseline levels before the meal and remained elevated for 45-60 min after the meal, whereas the administration of nonimmune sheep serum to the same dogs did not cause significant changes in either hormone. Plasma insulin, glucagon and triglyceride levels after antisomatostatin serum were not significantly different from the controls. Endogenous somatostatin influences the secretion of GH and GLI via a pathway readily accessible to i.v. injected antibodies, probably via the circulation, whereas any influence that somatostatin may have upon the secretion of insulin and glucagon must take place via a pathway inaccessible to i.v. administered antisomatostatin serum, i.e., within the islets themselves.