Reduced somatostatin-like immunoreactivity in the brain of LEC rats with hepatic encephalopathy.

Abstract Somatostatin-14-like immunoreactivity (S14LI) and somatostatin-28(1–12)-like immunoreactivity (S28(1–12)LI) in the brain of LEC (Long Evans Cinnamon) rats with hepatic encephalopathy were measured. Significant reduction of both S14LI and S28(1–12)LI was observed in the hypothalamus, medulla oblongata, striatum and spinal cord. Both of the immunoreactivities in the hypothalamus of these rats were approx. 50% of those in LEC rats without hepatic encephalopathy. The amounts of reduction of S14LI significantly correlated with those of reduction of S28(1–12)LI. No significant difference in gel chromatographic profiles of S14LI and S28(1–12)LI was observed between LEC rats with and without hepatic encephalopathy. These results suggest that the reduction of somatostatin-like immunoreactivity in LEC rats with hepatic encephalopathy may be caused by a decrease in production of prosomatostatin rather than altered degradation.