title: The response of serum growth hormone levels to the long-acting somatostatin analog SMS 201-995 in acromegaly.
abstract: SMS 201-995 (SMS) is a long-acting analog of somatostatin. We studied the effect of SMS (50-100 micrograms, sc, every 8 h) on serum GH in five patients with acromegaly. Serum GH decreased significantly in four of the five patients 4 h after SMS treatment. In two of the four patients, this reduction was not sustained for 7 h, but sustained reduction to normal GH concentrations did occur in the two patients who had basal serum GH levels below 15 ng/ml. In the two patients whose responses were not sustained for 7 h, a higher dose of SMS did not cause sustained reduction in GH. SMS was well tolerated, except for one episode of elevated serum aminotransferase levels. These results indicate that SMS-induced reductions in serum GH in patients with acromegaly are often not sustained despite SMS administration every 8 h and indicate that the insufficient duration of effect may limit its therapeutic efficacy.
mesh_terms: D000172:Acromegaly / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000328:Adult; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015282:Octreotide; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D013004:Somatostatin; D013006:Growth Hormone; D015282:Octreotide