High somatostatin uptake by the isolated perfused dog pancreas consistent with "insulo-acinar" axis.

The canine pancreas takes up 50-80% of somatostatin perfused over a concentration range of 20 to 4000 pg/ml, compared to less than 21% of insulin or glucagon. This high uptake by acinar tissue of somatostatin, a potent inhibitor of acinar function, is compatible with a system for selective intrapancreatic control of exocrine pancreatic function via the insulo-acinar portal venous system.