somatostatins


somatostatins

Tetradecapeptides widely distributed in the body, that inhibits the secretion of many HORMONES and NEUROTRANSMITTERS. Somatostatins are secreted in the hypothalamus, elsewhere in the brain, the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, retina, spinal cord and various endocrine glands. They have been suggested as antidotes to growth hormone in conditions such as ACROMEGALY but have a very short duration of action and their use results in rebound over-secretion. The drug octreotide (Sandostatin) is a somatostatin analogue.