Endocrinology: somatostatin: practice question

A Physiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Physiology · Endocrinology: somatostatin

Sample item

A man with acromegaly treated with octreotide develops steatorrhoea and gallstones. Which physiological action of somatostatin analogues explains this?

AStimulation of intestinal motility and bile salt secretionBInhibition of cholecystokinin release, gallbladder contraction and pancreatic enzyme secretionCStimulation of insulin release from beta cellsDStimulation of gastrin release and acid secretion

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Inhibition of cholecystokinin release, gallbladder contraction and pancreatic enzyme secretion

Somatostatin from delta cells inhibits growth hormone, insulin, glucagon and many gastrointestinal secretions. It suppresses cholecystokinin and pancreatic enzymes and reduces gallbladder emptying, so fat is malabsorbed and bile stasis favours gallstones. Hyperglycaemia can also occur.

Option by option

A. Stimulation of intestinal motility and bile salt secretion
Intestinal motility and bile secretion are decreased.
B. Inhibition of cholecystokinin release, gallbladder contraction and pancreatic enzyme secretion (correct)
Correct. Reduced cholecystokinin action causes biliary stasis and fat malabsorption.
C. Stimulation of insulin release from beta cells
Insulin secretion is inhibited, not stimulated.
D. Stimulation of gastrin release and acid secretion
Somatostatin inhibits gastrin rather than stimulating it.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is B, Inhibition of cholecystokinin release, gallbladder contraction and pancreatic enzyme secretion. Somatostatin from delta cells inhibits growth hormone, insulin, glucagon and many gastrointestinal secretions.

Why is "Stimulation of intestinal motility and bile salt secretion" not the answer?

Intestinal motility and bile secretion are decreased.

Why is "Stimulation of insulin release from beta cells" not the answer?

Insulin secretion is inhibited, not stimulated.

Why is "Stimulation of gastrin release and acid secretion" not the answer?

Somatostatin inhibits gastrin rather than stimulating it.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Endocrinology: somatostatin in Physiology. It suppresses cholecystokinin and pancreatic enzymes and reduces gallbladder emptying, so fat is malabsorbed and bile stasis favours gallstones. Hyperglycaemia can also occur.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Endocrinology: somatostatin?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.