Adrenergic Control of Somatostatin Release*

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The effects of adrenergic stimulation and suppression on somatostatin (SS), insulin, and glucagon release were studied in intact dogs. Isoproterenol, a β-adrenergic agonist, significantly increased portal venous and arterial levels of SS and arterial levels of insulin and glucagon. Propranolol, a β-adrenergic antagonist, significantly decreased portal venous SS and suppressed the isoproterenol-stimulated increases in the levels of SS, insulin, and glucagon. α-Adrenergic stimulation (propranolol plus epinephrine) decreased portal venous SS and arterial insulin. Phentolamine, an α-adrenergic antagonist, increased portal venous and arterial SS and arterial glucagon. These data suggest that in intact dogs, stimulation of β-adrenergic receptors enhances the release of SS, insulin, and glucagon, while stimulation of α-adrenergic receptors inhibits the release of SS and insulin without having a definitive effect on glucagon.