Prolonged Suppression of Insulin Release by a Somatostatin Analog

Abstract
A somatostatin analog, [D-Ala5,D-Trp8]-somatostatin, selectively inhibited insulin and GH [growth hormone] release in rats. The release of these hormones is inhibited by an analog dose of 5 .mu.g/kg in short term experiments (15 min from analog administration to blood sampling), while glucagon levels are not lowered by analog doses as high as 500 .mu.g/kg. The lowered insulin to glucagon ratio results in hyperglycemia. [D-Ala5,D-Trp8]Somatostatin is also long acting; a 1 mg/kg dose results in hypoinsulinemia for 2 h and hyperglycemia for 3 h.