Somatostatin

General Aspects of the Biology and Function of Somatostatin.- Molecular Heterogeneity of Somatostatin.- Evolution of Somatostatin Genes and Gene Products.- Anatomical Distribution of Somatostatin Cells.- Somatostatin in the Blood and Other Body Fluids.- Actions of Somatostatin.- Molecular Model of Somatostatin Action.- Somatostatin Receptor Subtypes.- Regulation of Somatostatin Secretion and Gene Expression.- Regulation of Secretion.- Regulation of Gene Expression.- Physiological Significance of Somatostatin.- Somatostatin in Disease.- References.- Somatostatin Receptors in the Central Nervous System.- Somatostatin Receptors.- In Vitro Binding Assays.- Structural Characterization.- Localization of Somatostatin Receptors by Radioautography.- Mechanisms of Action.- Regulation by Hormones and Somatostatin.- Multiple Effects.- Somatostatin Receptors in Pathology.- Conclusion.- References.- Somatostatin in Neuropsychiatric Disorders.- Neuropsychiatric Disease-Related Alterations.- Alzheimer's Disease.- Depression.- Central Nervous System Effects of Somatostatin.- Central Nervous System Localization.- Neurophysiological Actions.- Interaction with Neuroregulators.- Behavioral Actions.- Somatostatin in Affective Disorder: Clinical Relevance.- Endocrine Correlates.- Role in Seizure Disorders and Effects of Psychopharmacological Agents..- Conclusions.- References.- The Physiological Role of Somatostatin in the Regulation of Nutrient Homeostasis.- Release of Somatostatin.- Basal Somatostatin Release.- Postprandial Somatostatin Release.- Mechanisms of Somatostatin Release.- Cephalic Phase.- Gastric Phase.- Neural Mechanisms During the Gastric Phase.- Intestinal Phase.- Intestinal Phase and Gastric Somatostatin.- Intestinal Phase and Pancreatic Somatostatin.- Physiological Effects of Somatostatin.- Somatostatin and Gastric Functions.- Somatostatin and Pancreatic Functions.- Exocrine Pancreas.- Endocrine Pancreas: Effects on the Exocrine Pancreas.- Somatostatin and Nutrient Entry into the Circulation.- References.- Therapeutic Use of Somatostatin and Octreotide Acetate in Neuroendocrine Tumors.- Pharmacology of Octreotide Acetate.- The Effects of Somatostatin and Octreotide on the Pituitary.- Effects on Pituitary Tumors.- GH-Secreting Tumors.- TSPt-Secreting Tumors.- Other Pituitary Tumors.- Side Effects of Octreotide.- The Effects of Somatostatin and Octreotide on Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Gut.- The Carcinoid Syndrome.- Insulinomas.- Gastrinomas.- VlPomas.- Glucagonomas.- GHRHomas.- Cushing's Syndrome.- Nonfunctioning and Other Rare Neuroendocrine Tumors.- Effects of Octreotide on Tumor Size.- Unresolved Issues.- References.