Methods for the study of somatostatin

It is clear from the above that there are a number of methods for study of SRIF release. From the standpoint of convenience, the in vitro static incubation of ME is the most practical technique at the present time. Using this preparation SRIF release has been found to be modified by a number of neurotransmitters and peptides, and studies on the mechanism of release of the peptide have been initiated. There is no doubt that such studies should be complemented by perifusion studies, by studies involving larger pieces of the hypothalamus which encompass the entire somatostatinergic neuron, and by in vivo studies to determine the correlation of in vivo and in vitro release. Among the in vivo techniques which have been utilized, the push-pull cannula technique employing cannulae implanted in hypothalamus or anterior pituitary gland offers the most promise. A summary of the effects of some neurotransmitters and neuropeptides on hypothalamic SRIF secretion is reported in Table. I.