title: Effect of somatostatin on lower esophageal sphincter characteristics in man.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Somatostatin (SST) is known for its inhibitory effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations (TLESR), low or absent LES pressure (LESP) and swallow-induced LES relaxations are the most important reflux mechanisms.
  
  
  METHODS
  We have studied the effect of somatostatin on lower esophageal sphincter (LES) characteristics in man. Nine healthy volunteers participated in four experiments performed in random order and double-blind during continuous infusion of somatostatin (250 microg/h) or saline (control) under fasting and postprandial conditions. Esophageal motility was measured with sleeve manometry combined with pH metry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Under fasting conditions LESP was not influenced by somatostatin. Ingestion of the carbohydrate meal significantly (P < 0.01) decreased LESP. During continuous somatostatin infusion the postprandial decrease in LESP did not occur; LESP was even significantly (P < 0.05) increased over basal levels. Somatostatin did not significantly influence TLESR frequency, neither under basal conditions, nor postprandially. The residual pressure during swallow-induced LES relaxation was significantly (P < 0.05) increased by somatostatin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In humans somatostatin prevents postprandial reduction in LESP, does not affect TLESR, but inhibits swallow-induced LES relaxation.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Straathof
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tieleman
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Lamers
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Masclee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002766:Cholecystokinin / Q000097:blood; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000502:physiology*; D005215:Fasting / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005755:Gastrins / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D010528:Peristalsis / Q000187:drug effects; D019518:Postprandial Period / Q000502:physiology; D011312:Pressure; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D005755:Gastrins; D013004:Somatostatin; D002766:Cholecystokinin