Inhibition of glucose-induced insulin secretion by somatostatin in goats

Somatostatin inhibited glucose-induced insulin secretion in intact goats. The duration of the inhibition was short (10 minutes) which suggests that somatostatin was rapidly metabolised. The inhibitory effect of somatostatin was followed by a recovery period during which high levels of insulin were attained. These higher concentrations of insulin in the 30 to 60 minutes after somatostatin infusion, were accompanied by lowered free fatty acid and beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations. It is suggested that the effects of somatostatin on these metabolites is brought about by modulation of insulin secretion and not by a direct effect of somatostatin on target tissues.