<p>Somatostatin is a synthetic cyclic 14 amino-acid peptide, which is identical in structure and action to natural somatostatin. By intravenous infusion in humans, somatostatin causes inhibition of growth hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone, insulin and glucagon secretion as well as inhibition of gastric acid secretion. It also affects the absorption, motility, splanchnic blood flow and trophic functions of the gastro-intestinal tract. Physiologically, somatostatin is found mainly in the gastro-intestinal tract and in the hypothalamus.<br />
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Somatostatin inhibits the release of gastrin, gastric acid, and pepsin which supports its indication in the treatment of upper gastro-intestinal haemorrhage. Furthermore, somatostatin is capable of reducing remarkably splanchnic blood flow without causing significant variations in the systemic arterial pressure, which proves to be valuable for the management of oesophageal variceal haemorrhage. Somatostatin reduces both pancreatic endocrine and exocrine secretion which makes it effective in the prophylaxis and treatment of postoperative complications of pancreatic surgery. The positive effect of somatostatin in the management of diabetic ketoacidosis can be ascribed to its suppression activity of glucagon secretion.</p>