Abstract: Orally administrable pharmaceutical compositions in the form of a soft gelatin capsule containing a prostaglandin and ascorbic acid or ascorbyl palmitate which are dissolved in polyethylene glycol or polyoxyethylene sorbitan esters of fatty acids or combinations thereof. The compositions are especially useful in improving bioavailability and stability of the prostaglandin in pharmaceutical dosage form.

Abstract: An improved diagnostic method for detecting malabsorption comprising the oral ingestion by the patient of an effective amount of N-(2-aminoethyl)-glycine (Aeg), collecting the urine for eight hours post ingestion, then detecting the amount of N-(2-aminoethyl)-glycine in the urine by contacting the urine with an indicator substance which indicates the presence of N-(2-aminoethyl)-glycine. Suitable reagents include nihydrin, 2-methoxy-2,4-diphenyl-3-(2H)-furanone, o-phthalaldehyde and fluorescamine, with fluorescamine being preferred. The determination can be made quantitative by treating the urine with a source of active chlorine or bromine prior to contact with the indicator.

Abstract: Novel somatostatin analogues containing one or more aminoethylglycyl residues at the amino and/or carboxyl terminus or in the ring position are described. The compounds are potent and long lasting inhibitors of gastric acid secretion.