Somatostatin is a tetradecapeptide incorporating a cyclic dodecapeptide, having the structure: ##STR1## and has the properties of inhibiting the release of growth hormone, inhibiting the release of insulin and glucagon and reducing gastric secretions. Somatostatin itself has a short duration of action because it is inactivated, inter alia, by aminopeptidases and carboxypeptidases present in vivo. This problem of the short duration of action has been partially solved in the prior art by preparing derivatives of somatostatin which have low solubility, thus attaining a slow release on subcutaneous injection. Once dissolved, however, the derivatives are no more stable to inactivation by aminopeptidases and carboxypeptidases than somatostatin itself.
USPTO Backgrounds
USPTO Backgrounds