Renal hemodynamic effects of somatostatin are not related to inhibition of endogenous insulin release.
BACKGROUND
Somatostatin inhibits endocrine and exocrine secretions and exerts renal vasoconstriction. The mechanism underlying somatostatin's vascular effects is unknown. Since insulin can cause vasodilation, we hypothesized that removal of basal insulin release by somatostatin may contribute to somatostatin-induced renal vasoconstriction.


METHODS
The study was conducted in different protocols comprising forty-six healthy male volunteers. Randomized studies were performed to compare the effects of somatostatin alone (0.1 microg/kg/min) to the effects of somatostatin + low dose insulin (0.1 mU/kg/min), the effects of somatostatin + low dose insulin to the effects of somatostatin + high dose insulin (1.5 mU/kg/min), and the effects of insulin (1.5 mU/kg/min) + somatostatin. Renal plasma flow (RPF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were measured with the para-aminohippurate (PAH) and the inulin clearance technique, respectively. Blood pressure and pulse rate were measured non-invasively.


RESULTS
Somatostatin alone decreased GFR (-14 +/- 6%, P < 0.001) and RPF (-16 +/- 7%, P < 0.001) whereas systemic hemodynamics were unchanged. Preceding or concomitant infusion of insulin at high doses (insulin plasma concentration of 127 +/- 25 or 144 +/- 17 microU/mL) but not co-infusion with low dose insulin (insulin plasma concentration of 11 +/- 3 microU/mL) mitigated or reversed the vasoconstrictive actions of somatostatin on GFR and RPF.


CONCLUSIONS
Somatostatin induces marked renal vasoconstriction and exogenous restoration of fasting insulin concentrations does not influence the renal vascular effects. Therefore, it is unlikely that somatostatin-induced vasoconstriction is due to removal of basal insulin. Plasma insulin concentrations in the high postprandial range can reverse somatostatin-induced renal vasoconstriction, suggesting functional antagonism.
Schmidt
Alice
A
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, and Institute of Medical Physics,University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. alice.schmidt@nephro.imed3.akh-wien.ac.at
Pleiner
Johannes
J
Schaller
Georg
G
Roden
Michael
M
Dallinger
Susanne
S
Mayer
Gert
G
Schmetterer
Leopold
L
Wolzt
Michael
M
D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D015309:Glucose Clamp Technique; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006728:Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D007444:Inulin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008297:Male; D012079:Renal Circulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects; D010130:p-Aminohippuric Acid / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
D006728:Hormones; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D013004:Somatostatin; D007444:Inulin; D010130:p-Aminohippuric Acid