Effects of somatostatin infusion in four patients with malignant carcinoid syndrome.

Abstract

Somatostatin (4 micrograms/min, cyclic form) was infused for 24 h on six occasions in four patients with carcinoid ileal tumor and multiple liver metastases. During infusion, spontaneous flushes and/or diarrhea were markedly reduced with a return to the pretreatment pattern on the next day. Urinary 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid excretion and plasma gastrin were not significantly changed, whereas plasma insulin presented the expected decrease and rebound. These results confirm that carcinoid symptoms are somatostatin-sensitive but do not provide evidence that serotonin or gastrin play a major role in inducing these symptoms.

• Authors: M Quatrini, G Basilisco, D Conte, A Bozzani, M T Bardella, P A Bianchi
• Journal: The American journal of gastroenterology (Am J Gastroenterol) Vol. 78 Issue 3 Pg. 149-51 (Mar 1983) ISSN: 0002-9270 [Print] United States
• PMID: 6187212 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Gastrins
• Insulin
• Somatostatin
• Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid

Topics

• Aged
• Diarrhea (drug therapy)
• Female
• Gastrins (blood)
• Humans
• Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid (urine)
• Insulin (blood)
• Male
• Malignant Carcinoid Syndrome (drug therapy, metabolism)
• Middle Aged
• Skin (blood supply)
• Somatostatin (therapeutic use)