TIME-DEPENDENT INFLUENCE OF THE SOMATOSTATIN ANALOG OCTREOTIDE ON THEPROLIFERATION OF RAT ASTROCYTES AND GLIOMA-CELLS

The somatostatin receptor subtype sst, was visualized by immunostainin g on cultivated rat astrocytes and C6 rat glioma cells. Octreotide, a metabolically stable sst, agonist reduced [H-3]thymidine incorporation into DNA of both cell types dose-dependently only after short-time ap plication (2-5 h), after prolonged incubation (> 12 h) no antiprolifer ative effect was measurable. We conclude that sst, receptors may be de sensitized. Thus, desensitization might hinder application of octreoti de to reduce glial tumour growth.