The effect of somatostatin on metabolic and hormonal changes during and after exercise

The effect of intravenous somatostatin on blood levels of metabolites and hormones has been examined in normal subjects who performed a 30-minute period of bicycle exercises at 70% maximal exercise capacity. The results have been compared with control studies in the same subjects. Measurements were made of blood levels of lactate, glucose, free fatty acids, glycerol, acetoacetate, 3-hydroxybutyrate, insulin, glucagon, growth hormone (hGH) and prolactin. Growth hormone and glucagon release were suppressed during exercise with somatostatin and there was a subsequent elevation during recovery. There was slight post-exercise depression of insulin, but no alteration of plasma prolactin secretion. Blood glucose was reduced during exercise with somatostatin and increased during recovery. The elevation of ketone bodies after exercise was greater in the investigation with somatostatin, but there were no significant changes in other metabolites. Somatostatin, although causing inhibition of hGH release, appeared to have no significant effect upon fatty acid mobilization during exercise.