The pharmacokinetics and the endocrine profile of a new low molecular somatostatin derivative, SMS 201\p=n-\995, were investigated in a group of 35 normal subjects. Clearance studies (n = 6) for this peptide showed a prolonged half-life in plasma, 113 min, following single sc injections of 50 or 100 \ g=m\ g. Arginine stimulation tests (n = 6) were conducted immediately and 180 min after sc injection of 50 \ g=m\ g of SMS 201\p=n-\995. The stimulatory effect of arginine on GH and insulin was counteracted by the peptide at the P < 0.001 and P < 0.02 significance level, respectively. Delayed arginine stimulation revealed a persistent blockade of the GH release (P < 0.02), whereas a recovery of the insulin response was observed. Plasma

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of respiratory disease in infants, young children, immunocompromised patients, and the institutionalized elderly. Previous work had shown that RNase L, an antiviral enzyme of the interferon system, could be recruited to cleave RSV genomic RNA by attaching tetrameric 2prime prime or minute-5prime prime or minute-linked oligoadenylates (2-5A) to an oligonucleotide complementary to repetitive gene-start sequences within the RSV genome (2-5A antisense). A 2prime prime or minute-O-methyl RNA-modified analog of the lead 2-5A anti-RSV chimera is shown here to have enhanced antiviral activity in cell culture studies while also cleaving RSV genomic RNA in an RNase L- and sequence-specific manner. When administered intranasally to RSV-infected African green monkeys, this chimera reduced nasal RSV replication by up to four log(10) units in a dose- and time-dependent manner.

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