Somatostatin modulates the function of Kupffer cells

Recent studies have shown that somatostatin modulates lymphocyte and peritoneal macrophage function, but the effects of somatostatin on hepatic macrophages (Kupffer cells) are not clearly defined. In the present study, hepatic macrophages obtained from male rats were treated in vitro with somatostatin or octreotide and their effects on the release of nitrite, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) determined. At concentrations of 10(-14) M to 10(-12) M, or greater than 10(-10) M, somatostatin suppressed nitrite release by Kupffer cells. At concentrations of less than 10(-9) M or greater than 10(-9) M, octreotide inhibited nitrite release by Kupffer cells. Kupffer cells treated with 10(-10) M to 10(-14) M or greater than 10(-8) M of somatostatin released significantly less amounts of TNF than did the untreated controls. TNF release by Kupffer cells treated with 10(-15) M to 10(-5) M of octreotide was significantly inhibited as compared to that of untreated controls. Kupffer cells treated with 10(-14) M to 10(-11) M and 10(-9) M to 10(-8) M of somatostatin released more H2O2 than did the untreated controls. The amount of H2O2 released by noncirrhotic Kupffer cells treated with 10(-6) M or 10(-5) M of somatostatin was less than that of controls. These findings demonstrate that somatostatin and octreotide modulate the release of nitric oxide, TNF, H2O be Kupffer cells depending on the concentration of hormones used. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.