Abstract
1 Studies were conducted to examine the effects of somatostatin on pentagastrin-induced gastric acid secretion, and on bile, plasma and liver lipid composition in the rat. 2 In addition, liver glycogen and plasma glucose concentrations were measured. 3 Somatostatin was administered intravenously as a bolus (100 microgram) at the start of the experiment followed by a continuous infusion (50 microgram/h) for 2 h. 4 Controls were infused with isotonic saline (1 ml/h) throughout the experiment. Gastric secretions and bile were collected during the infusions. 5 Somatostatin significantly decreased the volume of gastric secretion as well as total gastric acid output but it had no effect on bile or bile lipid composition. 6 Plasma and liver lipids were not affected. Plasma glucose concentrations were significantly elevated but liver glycogen was not changed. 7 Our results suggest that somatostatin probably decreases glucose uptake by peripheral tissue. The effect of somatostatin on bile composition and glucose levels in the rat is different from observations reported in other species.