Somatostatin stimulation of the normal esophagus

The inhibitory effects of somatostatin on gastric and small bowel motor function are well documented. However, the effects of somatostatin on esophageal body motility and lower esophageal sphincter tone are not completely defined. We investigated the effects of octreotide, a long-acting somatostatin analogue, on the esophageal body and the lower esophageal sphincter in 15 healthy volunteers. Lower esophageal sphincter tone was increased by octreotide infusion. Esophageal body contraction amplitude and velocity were also increased by octreotide infusion. Our data show that somatostatin stimulates the normal human esophagus, an action mediated either by a direct effect, a central nervous system action, or the inhibition of the secretion of gastrointestinal hormones that influence esophageal motor activity.