Use of somatostatin receptor ligands in obesity and diabetic complications

• Published in: Baillière's best practice & research. Clinical gastroenterology Vol. 16; no. 3; pp. 493 - 509
• Main Authors: Boehm, Bernhard O., Lustig, Robert H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2002
• Subjects: diabetic retinopathy; Diabetic Retinopathy - drug therapy; Humans; hyperinsulinaemia; hypothalamic obesity; IGF-system; obesity; Obesity - drug therapy; Somatostatin - analogs & derivatives; Somatostatin - therapeutic use; somatostatin analogues; somatostatin receptors; IGF-system; somatostatin receptors; hyperinsulinaemia; somatostatin analogues; diabetic retinopathy; hypothalamic obesity; obesity
• ISSN: 1521-6918; 1532-1916
• DOI: 10.1053/bega.2002.0320

Somatostatin (SMS) is a potent inhibitory molecule. It inhibits both exocrine and endocrine secretory functions of the pancreas, suppresses growth hormone secretion and reduces the level of insulin-like growth factor-1. Long-acting somatostatin analogues were currently investigated for potential clinical benefits in two settings: (a) control of hyperinsulinaemia in obesity and (b) control of an excess of pro-angiogenic factors in diabetes-associated retinal complications. In two randomized, controlled trials the long-acting somatostatin analogue octreotide retarded progression of the microvascular complications in pre-proliferative and advanced stages of diabetic retinopathy. Inhibition of the early phase of insulin secretion by use of octreotide in patients with hypothalamic obesity resulted in weight loss and improved quality of life. Efficacy of octreotide correlated to residual β-cell activity prior to the treatment. Obesity and diabetes mellitus are the most common chronic metabolic disorders in the world. The use of somatostatin analogues addressing the various hormonal imbalances of these disorders may provide a novel concept for their pharmacological treatment.