The effect of somatostatin on plasma noradrenaline and plasma adrenaline concentrations during exercise and hypoglycemia.

The effect of somatostatin, on the secretion of noradrenaline and adrenaline was studied in eight normal subjects during exercise and in insulin induced hypoglycemia. Plasma growth hormone response to exercise and hypoglycemia was almost totally suppressed by somatostatin. Plasma noradrenaline during exercise tended to be lower during the infusion of somatostatin but the difference was not significant. During the infusion of somatostatin the secretion of adrenaline was increased. This was seen during exercise but was much more pronounced during hypoglycemia. The blood glucose concentration attained after insulin injection was lower during the infusion of somatostatin and evidence is presented which indicates that the higher adrenaline values during hypoglycemia were due to the lower blood glucose values attained. In conclusion the secretion of catecholamines are not inhibited by a dose of somatostatin which nearly totally suppresses the secretion of growth hormone.