Hyperglycemia Induced by Somatostatin in Normal Subjects

Abstract

The effect of a prolonged somatostatin infusion on the blood concentrations of glucose, insulin and glucagon was investigated in normal human subjects. During the first 10-60 min of somatostatin infusion, plasma glucose levels decreased by 10.6%. Two hours after the start of the infusion, glucose levels returned to preinfusion concentrations and subsequently rose to hyperglycemic levels in all subject. The average maximal increase in glucose concentration was 24.8%. The previous observation that somatostatin inhibited insulin and glucagon release was confirmed. Hyperglycemia developed when somatostatin infusion was extended beyond 2h. Glucagon determinations revealed that this hyperglycemia appeared, although glucagon levels were simultaneously suppressed. Intact basal glucagon secretion apparently is not a prerequisite for development of fasting hyperglycemia. The biphasic pattern of the blood glucose level during prolonged somatostatin infusion probably reflects changes in liver glucose production.