Somatostatin suppresses secretin and pancreatic exocrine secretion.

Somatostatin, a hypothalamic peptide, suppresses hydrochloric acid-stimulated release of secretin, pancreatic flow rate, and bicarbonate and protein secretion in fasted, conscious dogs. It also reduces nonstimulated pancreatic exocrine secretion but does not affect basal secretin concentrations. Suppression of HCl-stimulated secretin release is complete, whereas pancreatic flow rate and bicarbonate and protein secretions are only partially inhibited. The action of somatostatin is rapid in onset and quickly reversible.