ROLE OF SOMATOSTATIN IN REGULATION OF INSULAR ACINAR AXIS

Cysteamine is known to deplete somatostatin from pancreatic D cells. I n the isolated perfused rat pancreas we investigated its effects on so matostatin and glucagon release as well as exocrine pancreatic secreti on in the presence of 1.8 mM glucose. Cysteamine, 10 mM, released soma tostatin, but had no effect on CCK-stimulated amylase secretion. Argin ine-stimulated glucagon release, however, was significantly inhibited by cysteamine. Concomitantly we still observed stimulation of somatost atin secretion, but also a potentiation of CCK-stimulated amylase secr etion. Our results are consistent with a role of somatostatin in the r egulation of exocrine pancreatic secretion via its effect on pancreati c A and B cells.