Adrenergic Control of Somatostatin Release*

Abstract

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