[Effect of somatostatin on kidney function]

Abstract

The renal effect of cyclic somatostatin was studied on healthy subjects. The somatostatin was used at therapeutical dose in intravenous infusion. Somatostatin decreases the renal plasma flow, glomerular filtration rate, osmotic and free water clearances, sodium and potassium excretion and the tubular reabsorption of phosphorus while urinary osmolality increases. Under somatostatin infusion the urinary excretion of catecholamines, PGE2, PGF2 alfa and the plasma renin activity and the plasma concentration of glucagon and growth hormone decrease. The antidiuretic activity of somatostatin is due to a) a direct haemodinamic effect, b) an influence on the renal tubular transport as well and also c) because of change the water handling in the collecting ducts.