Endocrine applications of the somatostatin analogue octreotide (Sandostatin)

Effects of long-acting somatostatin analogues on adrenal growth and phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate formation in experimental diabetes

Adrenal growth and increased adrenal function occur in experimental diabetes. Previously, we have shown that phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate (PRPP) and PRPP synthetase increased rapidly between 3 and 7 days after induction of diabetes with streptozotocin (STZ), with less marked changes in enzymes of the pentose phosphate pathway. The present study examines the earlier phase of 1-3 days following induction of diabetes, seeking to elucidate whether control of PRPP production is a result of diabetic hyperglycaemia, or to a more general re-ordering of hormonal factors. To investigate this question, the role of insulin and two different long-acting somatostatin analogues, Angiopeptin and Sandostatin, were used in a well-established animal model. PRPP was chosen specifically as a target for these studies in view of its central role in nucleotide formation and nicotinamide mononucleotide synthesis via Nampt which is the rate-limiting step in the synthesis of NAD and which has been shown to have multiple roles in cell signalling in addition to its known function in glycolysis and energy production. Treatment with the somatostatin analogues ab initio effectively abolished the adrenal growth, the increase in PRPP formation and the rise of PRPP synthetase activity in the first 7 days of diabetes, without having any significant effect on blood glucose values. This suggests that elevated glucose per se is not responsible for the diabetic adrenal hypertrophy and implies that growth factors/hormones, regulated by somatostatin analogues, play a significant role in adrenal growth processes.

Different responses to chronic somatostatin analogues in patients with central hyperthyroidism

OBJECTIVE

Central hyperthyroidism is mainly due to two different causes, TSH-secreting pituitary adenoma (TSH-oma) and resistance to thyroid hormone in its pituitary variant, i.e. patients presenting with signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism (PRTH). Because therapeutic approach and the clinical follow-up are extremely different in these two disorders, a correct differential diagnosis is mandatory. Unfortunately, no definite pathognomonic tool is presently available and an extensive biochemical and instrumental workup is frequently needed in order to reach the correct diagnosis. Aim of the present study was to investigate the use of somatostatin analogues in the differential diagnosis between TSH-omas and PRTH, as well as the possible treatment of PRTH with these analogues.

DESIGN AND PATIENTS

Eight patients with TSH-oma and four with PRTH underwent the acute test with somatostatin analogue Octreotide (0.1 mg subcutaneously), as well as long-acting Octreotide-LAR (30 mg intramuscularly every 28 days) for two months.

MEASUREMENTS

Serum TSH, FT3 and FT4 were evaluated in basal condition, at time 0 and every hour for 6 h during acute test, and every 15 days for 2 months during chronic treatment.

RESULTS

During acute test, in both patients with PRTH and TSH-oma, a similar reduction in immunoreactive TSH and FT3 levels was observed, while no variations were found in FT4 concentrations. In contrast, during the administration of Octreotide-LAR, no significant variations of all tested parameters were observed in PRTH group, whereas FT3 and FT4 concentrations normalized or presented a significant reduction (> 30% of pretreatment values) in seven of eight patients with TSH-oma, despite minor variation of immunoreactive TSH levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic administration of long-acting somatostatin analogues in patients with central hyperthyroidism caused a marked decrease of FT3 and FT4 levels in all patients but one with TSH-oma, while patients with PRTH did not respond at all. Thus, administration of long acting somatostatin analogues for at least 2 months can be useful in the differential diagnosis in problematic cases of central hyperthyroidism. Furthermore, the present findings exclude the possibility of a beneficial effect of chronic administration of somatostatin analogues in controlling thyrotoxic symptoms in PRTH patients.

Octreotide (somatostatin analog) treatment reduces endothelial cell dysfunction in patients with diabetes mellitus

Octreotide is a long-acting somatostatin analog that has been shown to have various effects in diabetes. This study was performed to evaluate whether octreotide affects the vascular complications of diabetes mellitus. Albuminuria and serum thrombomodulin were used as markers of vascular and renal dysfunction. We studied the effect of octreotide in 27 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). They received 200 microg octreotide per day over a period of 6 months. As a marker of endothelial cell damage, we measured the serum thrombomodulin level. We also measured urinary albumin excretion, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and other parameters. IGF-1 decreased from 123 ng/mL before treatment to 114 ng/mL after 6 months of octreotide treatment (P = .009), while no significant change was observed in the unblinded control group (from 103 ng/mL to 102 ng/mL after 6 months of treatment). Urinary albumin excretion in patients with macroalbuminuria declined from 1,124 mg/L before octreotide treatment to 556 mg/L after 6 months of treatment (P < .05), whereas no change was observed in the control group. There was also a reduction of the plasma thrombomodulin level from 61.8 ng/mL to 46.1 ng/mL (P < .07) after 6 months of treatment. Furthermore, HbA1c decreased from 8.75% +/- 1.27% to 8.12% +/- 1.23% (P < .07) after octreotide treatment.

Octreotide is not useful for clomiphene citrate resistance in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome but may reduce the likelihood of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether octreotide is effective for ovulation induction in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and clomiphene citrate resistance or for reduction of the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) with gonadotropin therapy.

DESIGN

Prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.

SETTING

Private infertility practice.

PATIENT(S)

Twelve patients with PCOS undergoing therapy for infertility.

INTERVENTION(S)

The patients were assigned randomly to receive either octreotide or placebo. Those with clomiphene citrate-resistant PCOS received clomiphene citrate, 150 mg. Patients at risk for the development of OHSS received urinary FSH for ovulation induction.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Ovulation, pregnancy, the development of OHSS, and levels of fasting insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1, insulin-like growth factor binding proteins 1 and 3, testosterone, androstenedione, DHEAS, E2, LH, and FSH.

RESULT(S)

Octreotide significantly reduced levels of fasting insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1, and LH in both clomiphene citrate- and urinary FSH-stimulated cycles. Levels of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 were increased. Two of six clomiphene citrate-stimulated cycles reached ovulation with the use of either octreotide or placebo. In urinary FSH-stimulated cycles, patients who received octreotide had significantly lower E2 levels at the time of hCG administration and fewer mature follicles. No cases of OHSS occurred in either group. One pregnancy occurred in each group.

CONCLUSION(S)

Octreotide was no more effective than placebo for clomiphene citrate resistance in patients with PCOS, but it did reduce E2 levels and follicle numbers when combined with urinary FSH. Thus, octreotide may reduce the incidence of OHSS in patients with PCOS.

Effects of the somatostatin analog, octreotide, on glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

To examine the effect of the somatostatin analog, octreotide, on insulin-mediated glucose uptake, seven insulin-dependent diabetic (IDDM) subjects were studied with and without 4 days of continuous subcutaneous octreotide administration (1 mg/kg/d). Insulin dosage was adjusted after frequent measurements of plasma glucose level. On the third day a hormonal and metabolic blood profile was obtained, and on the fourth day a euglycemic (5 mmol/L), hyperinsulinemic (1 mU/kg/min) clamp was performed in combination with calorimetry and a muscle biopsy. Mean plasma glucose levels on day 3 were similar (7.9 +/- 0.9 v 9.0 +/- 0.6 mmol/L). Growth hormone (GH) (0.39 +/- 0.10 v 0.78 +/- 0.23 mg/L, P < .05), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) (127 +/- 17 v 157 +/- 21 mg/L, P < .05), and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) (239 +/- 25 v 405 +/- 44 mmol/L, P < .01) were lower following octreotide administration. Insulin requirements were reduced during octreotide administration, resulting in significantly lower insulin levels (27.3 +/- 2.7 v 39.9 +/- 9.9 mU/L, P < .5). During the clamp, glucose and insulin levels wer similar. Following octreotide, glucose disposal (7.33 +/- 0.49 v 6.08 +/- 0.55 mg/kg/min, P < .05) increased and hepatic glucose production (HGP) was more suppressed (-1.56 +/- 0.07 v -0.63 +/- 0.34 mg/kg/min, P < .05, 220 to 270 minutes). Oxidative glucose disposal (indirect calorimetry) was enhanced (3.09 +/- 0.24 v 2.70 +/- 0.37 mg/kg/min, P = .08), whereas glucose storage, as well as the fractional velocity for glycogen synthase activity, were unaltered during octreotide administration. Conversely, octreotide decreased lipid oxidation (0.12 +/- 0.1 v 0.41 +/- 0.15 mg/kg/min, P < .05). In conclusion, a low-dose octrotide infusion for 4 days to IDDM subjects leads to significantly increased insulin sensitivity.