Somatostatin release as measured by in vivo microdialysis: circadian variation and effect of prolonged food deprivation

In vivo microdialysis was used to determine SRIF release from the hypothalamus in unanesthetized male rats over a period of 24 h and in rats deprived of food for 72 h, in relation to changes in plasma GH levels. Before the experiment, a microdialysis probe was inserted into the anterior pituitary gland of the rats with an indwelling right atrial cannula. Dialysates and blood samples were collected serially, after normal feeding or 72-h deprivation of food. Normal rats implanted with the microdialysis probe showed an episodical pattern of GH secretion at intervals of 3 h. SRIF was secreted in a pulsatile fashion in the dark period in a similar manner to the light period. Mean SRIF pulse amplitude and mean SRIF level were significantly increased in the dark period. There was no significant correlation between the SRIF and GH pulses in the light period. SRIF levels in dialysates obtained from fed rats and food-deprived rats showed a pulsatile pattern. Food deprivation resulted in significant increases in mean SRIF level and mean SRIF pulse amplitude. These results suggest that the existence of circadian rhythm in SRIF release and the increase in SRIF release play an important role in suppressing GH secretion during prolonged food deprivation.