title: Somatostatin: a historical perspective.
abstract: Following the discovery and biochemical characterization of natural somatostatin its action profile has been thoroughly investigated. Although the name somatostatin was coined in virtue of its growth hormone release-inhibiting properties, a number of central and peripheral endocrine and paracrine actions have been ascribed to this peptide. Its inhibitory effect on a series of pituitary and gastrointestinal hormones has characterized somatostatin as a classical brain-gut hormone. Circulating and tissue levels of somatostatin and its possible physiological role are analyzed and clinical implications are drawn.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000378:metabolism*; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D013004:Somatostatin