somatostatin

introduction

a peptide hormone produced by the hypothalamus, and from delta cells of pancreas
circulating half life is 2-3 minutes
in the brain, it passes along neuron axons to the pituitary where it:
- inhibits secretion of growth hormone / somatotropin from the anterior pituitary in a negative feedback loop
- inhibits secretion of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
- inhibits secretion of prolactin
in the GIT, it:
- inhibits secretion of gastric hormones such as gastrin, CCK, secretin, motilin, VIP, GIP, enteroglucagon
- delays gastric emptying
- suppresses release of pancreatic hormones - insulin and glucagon
- suppresses the exocrine secretory action of pancreas
octreotide mimics natural somatostatin pharmacologically