Somatostatin Secretion by δ-Cells (SST Secretion (δ-Cells))

Somatostatin secretion by δ-cells is a crucial regulatory mechanism in glucose homeostasis and gastrointestinal function. δ-cells, primarily located in the pancreatic islets, stomach, and intestine, release somatostatin, a peptide hormone that acts as a local inhibitor of insulin and glucagon secretion, as well as gastric acid secretion and gastrointestinal motility. The secretion process is tightly regulated by glucose levels, paracrine signals from neighboring α- and β-cells, and neural inputs. Dysregulation of somatostatin secretion can contribute to impaired counterregulatory responses in diabetes mellitus and other disease states.

Other names

Delta cell somatostatin releasePancreatic δ-cell somatostatin secretionGastric δ-cell somatostatin secretionIntestinal δ-cell somatostatin secretion

The mechanism of action for drugs related to this process relates to somatostatin itself. Somatostatin analogs mimic somatostatin action by binding to somatostatin receptors and inhibiting downstream signaling (e.g., reducing hormone secretion). Somatostatin receptor antagonists block the effects of somatostatin. Other drugs modulate upstream regulators of somatostatin secretion, such as KATP channels or neurotransmitter receptors.