The effect of somatostatin on postresectional ileal hyperplasia

After somatostatin infusion in rats, the proliferative activity in ileal crypts was examined under a variety of circumstances known to influence mucosal behaviour. The anticipated hyperplastic response to resection was inhibited by somatostatin treatment, not only under conditions of intestinal continuity but also in isolated segments of ileum. These results suggest that postresectional ileal hyperplasia is humorally mediated and is explicable on the basis of somatostatin suppression of trophic gut hormones. However, a direct effect of somatostatin and other secondary effects cannot be excluded.