the somatostatin type-5 receptor, wherein said agonist is selected from the group consisting of H-Cys-Phe-Phe-D-Trp-Lys-Thr-Phe-Cys-NH2; H-Cys-Phe-Phe-D-Trp-Lys-Ser-Phe-Cys-NH2; H-Cys-Phe-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Thr-Phe-Cys-NH2; H-Cys-Phe-Tyr(I)-D-Trp-Lys-Thr-Phe-Cys-NH2; and and wherein said therapeutically effective amount is an amount that is effective for the treatment of hyperlipidemia in said patient