Effects of short-time somatostatin infusion on the gastric and intestinal propulsion in humans.

The effect of short-time somatostatin infusion on gastric and intestinal propulsion of an oral glucose load was examined in healthy subjects by means of a multiple indicator dilution technique. The early gastric emptying rate was enhanced by somatostatin, indicating delayed gastric inhibition. After withdrawal of the somatostatin infusion, the late gastric emptying rate was decreased and the intestinal propagation rate markedly slowed. The effect of long-time somatostatin infusion has to be examined to analyse the nature of the events described.