[Somatostatin]

Somatostatin, under physiological conditions, is a regulator of thyroid stimulating hormone, growth hormone, pancreatic islet-cell hormones and gastrin. In pharmacological dosage, gastric acid output, splanchnic blood flow and plasma renin levels, are influenced. A possible therapeutic effect on increased growth hormone secretion, disturbances of carbohydrate metabolism, gastroenteropathies and renal hypertension, is discussed. The clinical application is limited by the short biological half-life of the substance and the unspecific action on several organs.