Synthesis of a nonreducible cyclic analog of somatostatin having only growth hormone release inhibiting activity.

A nonreducible cyclic analog of somatostatin (SRIF) was prepared by a combination of solid phase and solution peptide synthesis. The compound, gamma-Abu-Lys-Asn-Phe-Phe-Trp-Lys-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Asp-OH, was tested for its effect on the release of growth hormone, glucagon and insulin in rats. It significantly suppressed pentobarbital-stimulated growth hormone release but showed no effect on arginine-stimulated glucagon or insulin release. The linear form, NH2-gamma-Abu-Lys-Asn-Phe-Phe-Trp-Lys-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Asp-OH, was also prepared and tested in vivo. It was shown to have only slight activity.