Basal and tolbutamide-induced plasma somatostatin in healthy subjects and in patients with diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance

• Published in: Diabetic medicine Vol. 6; no. 3; p. 232
• Main Authors: Segers, O, De Vroede, M, Michotte, Y, Somers, G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.04.1989
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Blood Glucose - metabolism; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - blood; Female; Glucose Tolerance Test; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Somatostatin - blood; Tolbutamide - administration & dosage; Tolbutamide - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0742-3071
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1464-5491.1989.tb01153.x

Peripheral levels of basal and tolbutamide-induced somatostatin have been measured in patients with diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and compared with those in normal individuals. Basal somatostatin was significantly higher in patients with Type 1 diabetes than in age-matched control subjects. This increase was most pronounced at diagnosis, and appeared to be related to metabolic control in insulin-treated patients. No increase was noted in patients with Type 2 diabetes or with IGT. Intravenous bolus injection of tolbutamide enhanced peripheral somatostatin levels in healthy volunteers in a biphasic manner. Patients with IGT also exhibited a biphasic response but the amplitude of the first phase was higher. No secretory response was detected in 27/29 Type 1 diabetic patients at diagnosis; a somatostatin response to tolbutamide became detectable again in Type 1 patients with normalization of their basal somatostatin levels but was then paradoxically related to poor blood glucose control. In Type 2 diabetes, basal somatostatin levels were similar to age-matched control subjects, but decreased upon intravenous tolbutamide administration.