Somatostatin effects on the cyclic AMP system and lipid metabolism in mouse brain

The effect of somatostatin on cyclic AMP-protein kinase system and lipid metabolism was studied in mouse brain. Subcutaneous injection of the peptide decreased the cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP levels (70% and 60% respectively) as well as protein kinase and triglyceride lipase activities (30%). Cyclic AMP binding protein activity was not affected. Experiments carried out with ¹⁴C]acetate as precursor of lipids seem to indicate that somatostatin blocks the fatty acid turnover. On the other hand, the general decrease of³²P incorporation into all phospholipids by somatostatin suggests that the peptide interferes with the precursor uptake into phospholipids. The findings reported here indicate that somatostatin has a role on brain metabolism and further add more data in support for its neuromodulating action.