SOMATOSTATIN IN EATING DISORDERS

Somatostatin concentrations in plasma were measured before and after a standardized fat and protein-rich fluid test meal in patients with an orexia nervosa, weight-recovered anorectic patients, obese women, and healthy controls. Somatostatin was significantly elevated in all four groups after the test meals. Hormone levels remained elevated for up t o 100 min after the test meal. The area under the response curve was s ignificantly higher (p < .01) in the anorectic patients as compared wi th healthy controls and weight-recovered anorectics. Obese women had b lunted somatostatin responses. The findings may explain alterations in insulin secretion and in gastric emptying described earlier in patien ts with eating disorders. (C) 1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.