Effects of somatostatin infusion in four patients with malignant carcinoid syndrome.
Somatostatin (4 micrograms/min, cyclic form) was infused for 24 h on six occasions in four patients with carcinoid ileal tumor and multiple liver metastases. During infusion, spontaneous flushes and/or diarrhea were markedly reduced with a return to the pretreatment pattern on the next day. Urinary 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid excretion and plasma gastrin were not significantly changed, whereas plasma insulin presented the expected decrease and rebound. These results confirm that carcinoid symptoms are somatostatin-sensitive but do not provide evidence that serotonin or gastrin play a major role in inducing these symptoms.
D000368:Aged; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005755:Gastrins / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000652:urine; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008303:Malignant Carcinoid Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D005755:Gastrins; D007328:Insulin; D013004:Somatostatin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid