Hemodynamic effects of somatostatin in the rat: relationship with plasma glucagon levels

Hepatic, splanchnic, and systemic hemodynamic effects of somatostatin infusion, as well as changes in plasma glucagon concentration, were studied in normal rats, using techniques involving radioactive microspheres and radioimmunoassay. Somatostatin infusion caused a decrease in arterial blood flow to the stomach, small intestine and spleen, with the net effect of reducing hepatic portal blood flow and portal pressure. The hepatic arterial blood flow was not altered. The systemic hemodynamic effects of somatostatin were slight, although renal blood flow diminished, Plasma glucagon concentration did not vary immediately after somatostatin infusion. The mechanism of the hemodynamic action of the hormone is not yet clear, but in normal conditions it is not related to the inhibition of glucagon secretion.