Postprandial glycaemic effects of a long-acting somatostatin analogue (octreotide) in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.

Postprandial changes in blood glucose, insulin and glucagon were examined in 7 non-insulin dependent diabetic patients, before and after 3 days' treatment with the somatostatin analogue, octreotide (50 ug injected subcutaneously thricedaily). After octreotide injection, postprandial rises in plasma insulin and glucagon were significantly flattened. The postprandial glycaemic rise was delayed but the area under the glycaemic curve was not increased.

The blood supply of the islets of Langerhans in the Mongolian gerbil.

Ink injection studies and point counting have been used to follow and quantify the development of vascularity in the islets of Langerhans of the Mongolian gerbil. Vascularization is essentially a postnatal event in this species. Initially, islet capillaries form part of the general capillary bed of the gland, but subsequently they develop a direct arteriolar supply and venous drainage.