Effect of somatostatin on neurotensin-induced glucagon release and hyperglycemia.

Administration of neurotensin to dogs resulted in rises in circulating blood glucose, glucagon and insulin levels, the rise in glucagon being more pronounced than that in insulin. Infusion of somatostatin along with neurotensin suppressed glucagon and insulin responses to neurotensin and prevented the rise in blood glucose levels. These results suggest that the hyperglycemia seen after neurotensin is due to neurotensin stimulation of glucagon release over insulin release.