Somatostatin (SS), a physiological substance which inhibits secretion of GH, TSH, glucagon and insulin, was evaluated as a vasoactive agent.
In normal and arteriopatic subjects SS was administered intravenously by bolus for 3 minutes and by infusion for 30 minutes.
Rheography and plethysmography of lower limbs were performed before, during and after somatostatin administration.
A marked improvement of blood flow, provoked by somatostatin, was ob served. A reduction of heart rate was also observed.
Some hypotheses about the mechanism with which SS acts upon peripheral circulation are discussed.
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