Effect of D-Val1, D-Trp8-somatostatin on the motility of the stomach, duodenum and jejunum.

D-Val1, D-Trp8-somatostatin was given to seven volunteers to relax the gastrointestinal tract. Doses of drug ranging from 1-250 mcg. were given intravenously, single blind, as one bolus. The seven subjects had a total of 23 studies. The stomach never became hypotonic in any subject. The onset of drug effect on the duodenum and jejunum of moderate hypotonicity after 10-100 mcg. was 4.8 minutes and at 150-250 mcg., was 10.1 minutes. Onset of atonicity after 10-100 mcg. wa 5.7 minutes and at 150-2509 mcg., was 13.0 minutes. Duration of moderate hypotonicity after 10-100 mcg. was 20.9 minutes and at 150-250 mcg., was 22.4 minutes. Duration of atonicity at 10-100 mcg. was 11.5 minutes and at 50-250 mcg., was 14.1 minutes. Preliminary results suggest that the onset and duration of effect, relative to dose, were so variable that the drug appeared to be an unsatisfactory hypotonic agent for upper gastrointestinal radiography.