AUTHOR=Shamsi Bilal Haider , Chatoo Mahanand , Xu Xiao Kang , Xu Xun , Chen Xue Qun TITLE=Versatile Functions of Somatostatin and Somatostatin Receptors in the Gastrointestinal System JOURNAL=Frontiers in Endocrinology VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2021 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2021.652363 DOI=10.3389/fendo.2021.652363 ISSN=1664-2392 ABSTRACT=Somatostatin (SST) and somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) play an important role in brain and gastrointestinal (GI) system. SST is produced in various organ and cells, and the inhibitory function of somatostatin-containing cells involves in greater diversity physiology function and pathological modifications. GI system is the largest endocrine organ for digestion and absorption, SST-endocrine cells and neurons in GI system are a critical effector to maintain homeostasis via SSTRs 1-5 and co-receptors, SST-SSTRs involve in chemo-sensory, mucus and hormone secretion, motility, inflammation response, itch and pain by autocrine, paracrine, endocrine and exoendocrine pathway. Also it is a power inhibitor for tumor cell proliferation, severe inflammation and postoperation complication, and list as a first-line anti-cancer drug in clinical practice. This mini review focuses on the current function of producing SST endocrine cells and local neurons SST-SSTRs in GI system, and discusses new development prognostic markers, phosphate-specific antibodies and molecular imaging emerged in diagnostics and therapy, and summarizes the mechanism of SST family in basic research and clinical practice. Understood of endocrine and neuroendocrine in SST-SSTRs in GI will provide an insight into advanced medicine in basic and clinical research.