Glucose and insulin response after intravenous and subcutaneous somatostatin administration in healthy horses

Abstract

Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is prevalent in the equine population, and somatostatin analogs might be useful for diagnosis and/or treatment of EMS in horses. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the glucose and insulin responses to subcutaneous and intravenous administration of somatostatin. Six healthy research horses were included in this prospective study. An initial pilot study was performed to assess several different doses (10–22 µg/kg [4.5–10 µg/lb]) in two horses, then a final dosage of 22 µg/kg (10 µg/lb) was administered to six horses IV and SQ in a two‐period randomized cross‐over study performed over a 3‐month study period. Blood samples were collected for measurement of plasma insulin and glucose concentrations during a 24‐hr study period. Both IV and SQ somatostatin resulted in decreased insulin and increased glucose concentrations. SQ somatostatin resulted in a longer clinical effect, with return to baseline insulin occurring at 1.5 hr postadministration, versus 45 min for IV. Both IV and SQ administration of somatostatin to normal horses resulted in decreased insulin and increased glucose concentrations, likely due to suppression of insulin secretion by somatostatin. A more prolonged effect was seen following SQ administration as compared to IV administration, and no adverse effects were noted at varying doses. This study provides additional information regarding the effect of somatostatin administration on insulin and glucose concentrations in clinically healthy horses.

Case report: Peritumoral hepatic steatosis in a patient with a metastatic somatostatin-producing oligosymptomatic neuroendocrine neoplasm

“…However, this theory could not explain our case or the case that produced no hormones. Somatostatin can regulate blood glucose levels under physiological conditions by inhibiting insulin and glucagon secretion from the pancreas (23). However, our patient had undergone total pancreatectomy before liver metastasis was recognized.…”

Chronic administration of delta9‐tetrahydrocannabinol protects hyperinsulinemic gastric tissue in rats

“…HI has been linked to changes in brain regions related to appetite 2 . Somatostatin has a broad range of biological actions, such as regulating food intake, plasma insulin, and glucose concentrations 3 . The hypothalamic arcuate nucleus and the antrum of the stomach both synthesize the 23 amino acid peptide known as ghrelin, which is often called the hunger hormone.…”

“…2 Somatostatin has a broad range of biological actions, such as regulating food intake, plasma insulin, and glucose concentrations. 3 The hypothalamic arcuate nucleus and the antrum of the stomach both synthesize the 23 amino acid peptide known as ghrelin, which is often called the hunger hormone. There is evidence to support the effects of ghrelin on lipid and glucose metabolism, gastric acid secretion, and the immune system.…”