Release of insulin and pancreatic somatostatin in response to increased circulating growth hormone (GH) levels.

In an experimental study of 5 anaesthetized pigs the effects of increased circulating levels of growth hormone (GH) on the release of insulin and somatostatin from the pancreas was investigated. Blood was sampled simultaneously from the pancreatic venous effluent and from mixed venous blood. As measured by radioimmunoassay infusion of GH (20 micrograms x kg-1 x h-1) resulted in a significant (p less than 0.01) increase both in insulin and somatostatin concentration in pancreatic venous blood. In mixed venous blood no significant changes in hormone levels were found. The results illustrate one possible mechanism for the close relation between circulating GH and endocrine pancreas.