Plasma somatostatin response to an oral mixed test meal in cirrhotic patients

Ten patients with non-alcoholic cirrhosis and ten control subjects were studied in basal conditions and after ingestion of a standard mixed test meal. Plasma somatostatin, blood glucose, plasma insulin, C-peptide and glucagon were determined before and 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120 and 180 min after the start of the meal. Basal somatostatin levels in patients (31.9 ± 1.8 ng/l) were significantly higher ( p < 0.01) than in controls (12.5 ± 0.9 ng/1). The time-course of the somatostatin secretory response after the meal was similar in the two groups, but the increase, evaluated as incremental area above baseline, was significantly smaller ( p < 0.01) in cirrhotics (804 ± 134 ng/l per min) than in controls (1482 ± 149 ng/l per min). Data indicate that elevated basal plasma somatostatin concentrations in cirrhosis may be consequent to elevated gastrointestinal and/or pancreatic secretion, whereas the blunted somatostatin response to the mixed test meal may derive from the hyperinsuhnemia which occurs in the postprandial period.