Cytoprotective properties of somatostatins.

Secretion of many hormones is inhibited by regular cyclic somatostatin-14. Since additional cytoprotective properties of this hormone have been described, the question arises of whether analogs of somatostatin with increased endocrine activity may also exert increased cytoprotective activity. It could be shown that the endocrine and the cytoprotective property of somatostatin-14 must have different modes of action. In analogs of somatostatin with increased endocrine activity the cytoprotective effect is also increased. A maximal increase in the cytoprotective effect of certain analogs of somatostatin is accompanied by a loss of endocrine activity.