Research compounds
Somatostatin
Somatotropin release-inhibiting factor, SRIF
Somatostatin is the endogenous inhibitory hormone that suppresses growth hormone release, along with a wide range of other endocrine and gastrointestinal secretions. It is the molecule that octreotide, lanreotide and pasireotide were designed to imitate.
Also known as: SRIF, somatotropin release inhibiting factor
- Status
- Somatostatin is a research compound and not approved by the FDA for human use.
- Evidence
- Early human data. Only small or early-phase studies in people so far.
- Half-life
- Approximately 1 to 3 minutes.
- How it's taken
- Continuous intravenous infusion in the research setting
- Mechanism
- Other
- Pathways
- GH axis
How Somatostatin works
Somatostatin exists as 14- and 28-amino-acid forms and signals through five receptor subtypes, SSTR1 to SSTR5. Hypothalamic somatostatin restrains pituitary growth hormone release, and the interplay between somatostatin tone and GHRH is what produces the pulsatile pattern of growth hormone secretion. It also inhibits insulin, glucagon, gastrin and a range of gut hormones — a broad brake on secretory activity.
What research has looked at
- Understanding somatostatin explains why growth hormone secretagogues work as they do: part of the GHRP effect comes from suppressing somatostatin tone rather than from direct stimulation.
- It is the template for a whole approved drug class used in acromegaly and neuroendocrine tumours.
- Its receptor subtypes are the target for both therapeutic analogues and the dotatate radiopharmaceuticals.
Evidence level: Early human data. Only small or early-phase studies in people so far. These are areas studied or reported, not promised effects.
Reported side effects and risks
- Native somatostatin has a half-life of one to three minutes, making it useless as a drug and requiring continuous infusion in the research settings where it is used.
- Broad suppression of insulin and glucagon simultaneously produces unpredictable glycaemic effects.
- Rebound hypersecretion can follow abrupt discontinuation of an infusion.
- It is not approved as a therapeutic product in the United States; the analogues are.
- Material sold as somatostatin is research chemical supply with unverified identity and purity.
Sources
- PubMed research on somatostatin SSTR growth hormone inhibition · NIH · National Library of Medicine
- DrugBank record for somatostatin · DrugBank
- Active clinical trials for somatostatin · U.S. National Library of Medicine
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Related compounds
Somatostatin FAQ
What is Somatostatin?
Somatostatin is the endogenous inhibitory hormone that suppresses growth hormone release, along with a wide range of other endocrine and gastrointestinal secretions. It is the molecule that octreotide, lanreotide and pasireotide were designed to imitate.
How does Somatostatin work?
Somatostatin exists as 14- and 28-amino-acid forms and signals through five receptor subtypes, SSTR1 to SSTR5. Hypothalamic somatostatin restrains pituitary growth hormone release, and the interplay between somatostatin tone and GHRH is what produces the pulsatile pattern of growth hormone secretion. It also inhibits insulin, glucagon, gastrin and a range of gut hormones — a broad brake on secretory activity.
Is Somatostatin FDA approved?
No. Somatostatin is a research compound and not approved by the FDA for human use. Evidence level: early human data. Only small or early-phase studies in people so far.
What is the half-life of Somatostatin?
Reported half-life: Approximately 1 to 3 minutes.
How is Somatostatin taken?
Continuous intravenous infusion in the research setting.
What side effects have been reported with Somatostatin?
Reported in the sources: Native somatostatin has a half-life of one to three minutes, making it useless as a drug and requiring continuous infusion in the research settings where it is used; Broad suppression of insulin and glucagon simultaneously produces unpredictable glycaemic effects; Rebound hypersecretion can follow abrupt discontinuation of an infusion; It is not approved as a therapeutic product in the United States; the analogues are; Material sold as somatostatin is research chemical supply with unverified identity and purity.
Educational summary compiled from the sources listed above. Not medical advice. Peptide Vault does not sell, source or recommend any compound. Talk to a qualified clinician before starting or changing anything.