The effect of minisomatostatin on anomalous growth hormone responses in acromegaly
Pieters, G.F.; Smals, A.E.; Smals, A.G.; von Gennep, J.A.; Kloppenborg, P.W.
Acta Endocrinologica 114(4): 537-542
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-5598 PMID: 2883797 Document Number: 289497
Twelve patients with active acromegaly were treated with the long-acting somatostain analogue SMS 201-995 at a dose of 50 .mu.g sc twice daily in the first 2 weeks of treatment and 100 .mu.g twice daily thereafter. Four hours after the first injection of SMS, GH levels became normal in 8 of the 12 patients. The GH response after hpGRF administration was strongly suppressed by SMS. Paradoxical GH responses to TRH disappeared in 6 out 7 patients during SMS. Paradoxical GH responses to LHR, however, persisted in 4 out of 4 patients. Paradoxical responses of GH after glucose loading disappeared in 2 out of 2 patients. We conclude that SMS normalizes most anomalous growth hormone kinetics in acromegaly. This drug offers a new tool in the treatment of this disease.