Pharmacological effects of secretin and somatostatin on gastric and renal function in man

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study therapeutic doses of synthetic secretin (0.5 CU/kg/h) and somatostatin (3.5 micrograms/kg/h) given an intravenous infusion suppressed significantly peptone-stimulated gastric acid output per 3 h in nine male healthy subjects from 59.2 +/- 7.4 mmol H+ (placebo) to 16.9 +/- 3.1 and 6.6 +/- 1.5 mmol H+, respectively. Peptone-stimulated gastrin release was reduced to basal concentrations by both hormones. In five subjects secretin raised serum lipase to pathological concentrations. Somatostatin diminished significantly mean blood glucose concentrations. Both had opposite renal effects; secretin showed diuretic and somatostatin antidiuretic properties. Secretin and somatostatin were well tolerated. It is concluded from these data that therapeutic doses of secretin and somatostatin are comparably effective on exocrine and endocrine gastric functions, but have opposite effects on renal functions in man.