STIMULATION OF GLUCAGON RELEASE BY ADDITION OF ANTISOMATOSTATIN SERUM TO ISLETS OF LANGERHANS IN VITRO

Abstract
Addition of anti-somatostatin serum to rat islets of Langerhans which had been previously maintained in organ culture for 48 h, resulted in a marked stimulation of glucagon release with no change in the rate of insulin secretion during the entire 90 min period during which the secretion of both hormones was followed. Prior saturation of the anti-somatostatin serum with somatostatin prevented the stimulatory action on glucagon release. These data suggest a physiological role for endogenous somatostatin in the control of glucagon secretion.