The effect of octreotide on gastroduodenal blood flow measured by laser Doppler flowmetry in rabbits and man

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The somatostatin analogue, octreotide is valuable in the management of variceal bleeding, and it has been suggested that it may stop peptic ulcer hemorrhage by reducing gastroduodenal blood flow or increasing intragastric pH. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of intravenous octreotide infusion on gastroduodenal mucosal blood flow and gastric pH. METHODS: Seven New Zealand white rabbits and five healthy human volunteers were used. Mucosal blood flow was measured using a laser Doppler flowmeter (LDF). The Doppler probe was positioned in the upper gastrointestinal tract of the seven rabbits and five human volunteers. Blood flow was measured before and after octreotide infusion. RESULTS: In the animal experiments, mucosal blood flow was decreased in a dose dependent manner in the gastric body (209.1–56.3 U) ( p < 0.008), antrum (143.3–33.3 U) ( p < 0.02) and duodenum (254–67.6 U) ( p < 0.016) by doses of octreotide ranging from 10–50 μg/kg of body weight. In the human studies, mucosal blood flow was decreased in the gastric body ( p < 0.016) and antrum ( p < 0.009) after octreotide infusion (dose 1–1.5 μg/kg). Intragastric pH was significantly increased ( p < 0.05). The change was not associated with systemic hemodynamic changes. CONCLUSIONS: Gastroduodenal mucosal blood flow was reduced and intragastric pH increased by octreotide. This agent could be helpful in the management of gastroduodenal mucosal bleeding.