Intra-islet somatostatin regulates glucagon release via type 2 somatostatin receptors in rats

• Exogenously administered somatostatin (SST) inhibits secretion of insulin and glucagon. Furthermore, it is hypothesized that islet SST regulates glucagon secretion by a local action. A number of studies utilizing SST antibodies have been performed to test this hypothesis, and their results have been conflicting. Five subtypes of SST receptor (SSTR1–5) mediate the effect of SST on target cells. In rodents, SST inhibits the release of glucagon, but not that of insulin, via SSTR2. A novel SSTR2-selective antagonist, DC-41-33, was synthesized recently. We have investigated the effects of this antagonist on arginine-stimulated glucagon and insulin release in batch incubations of isolated rat islets, perifused isolated rat islets, and isolated perfused rat pancreas. In batch incubations at 3.3 mmol/l glucose, DC-41-33 increased glucagon release in a dose-dependent manner. At the maximum dose tested (2 μmol/l), DC-41-33 enhanced the glucagon response by 4.3- to 5-fold. Similarly, this compound increased arginine-induced glucagon release in perifused islets at 3.3 mmol/l glucose (2.8-fold) and perfused pancreas at 3.3 and 5.5 mmol/l glucose (2.5- and 2.3-fold, respectively). In the two latter experimental systems, DC-41-33 had no significant effect on insulin release. In conclusion, our results strongly support the hypothesis that islet SST inhibits glucagon secretion via a local action.

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