ENDOGENOUS OPIOID MEDIATION OF SOMATOSTATIN INHIBITION OF ARGININE VASOPRESSIN RELEASE EVOKED BY INSULIN-INDUCED HYPOGLYCEMIA IN MAN

In order to establish whether endogenous opioids play a role in the control of arginine vasopressin (AVP) response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia by interacting with somatostatin (SRIH), seven normal men were submitted to an insulin (0.15 U/kg) tolerance test (ITT) in the presence or absence of naloxone (10 mg in an i.v. bolus), SRIH (4.1-mu-g/min x 90 min) or the combination of the two substances. Plasma AVP concentrations rose significantly during ITT. The AVP response remained unchanged in the presence of naloxone, whereas it was significantly reduced by the treatment with SRIH. When both SRIH and naloxone were given, the hypoglycemia induced AVP rise was similar to that observed in the control test. These results indicate the involvement of naloxone sensitive endogenous opioids in the mechanism underlying SRIH inhibitory action, but not in the mediation of the AVP response to hypoglycemia.