Glucagon-like peptide 1

It has been absolutely fascinating to see how a peptide discovered for its ability to stimulate insulin secretion has developed into a class of drugs with hitherto unseen effectiveness on diabetes progression and overweight/obesity - Jens J. Holst

image by: Astrid Gerardi

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Glucagon-like peptide-1: Are its roles as endogenous hormone and therapeutic wizard congruent?

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a peptide derived from differential processing of the precursor for the hormone glucagon. It is secreted predominantly by endocrine cells in the gut epithelium in response to nutrient stimulation. Studies from the last 35 years have given us an idea about its physiological functions. On the basis of some of its many actions, it has also been developed into a pharmaceutical agent for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). It is currently positioned as the most effective anti-obesity agent available and is recommended in both national and international guidelines as an effective second-in line treatment for T2DM, in particular in patients with…

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Dissecting the Physiology and Pathophysiology of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1

When examining the physiology of glucagon-like peptide-1, it is important to consider that there is an expanding body of evidence that questions its systemic endocrine physiology.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1)

The glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a multifaceted hormone with broad pharmacological potential. Among the numerous metabolic effects of GLP-1 are the glucose-dependent stimulation of insulin secretion, decrease of gastric emptying, inhibition of food intake, increase of natriuresis and diuresis, and modulation of rodent β-cell proliferation.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 in health and disease

In healthy individuals, the incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) potentiates insulin release and suppresses glucagon secretion in response to the ingestion of nutrients. GLP1 also delays gastric emptying and increases satiety.

Glucose-sensing glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamus regulate glucose metabolism

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) regulates energy homeostasis via activation of the GLP-1 receptors (GLP-1Rs) in the central nervous system. However, the mechanism by which the central GLP-1 signal controls blood glucose levels, especially in different nutrient states, remains unclear.

The Physiology of Glucagon-like Peptide 1

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is a 30-amino acid peptide hormone produced in the intestinal epithelial endocrine L-cells by differential processing of proglucagon, the gene which is expressed in these cells.

Glucagon-like peptide-1: Are its roles as endogenous hormone and therapeutic wizard congruent?

The fundamental observation regarding GLP-1 is that it is a gut hormone released from open type L cells in response to nutrient ingestion (open type meaning that their apical processes reach the gut lumen). What its subsequent actions are, is less clear.

You and Your hormones

Glucagon-like peptide 1 is a hormone produced in the gut and released in response to food. It causes reduced appetite and the release of insulin. Alternative names for glucagon-like peptide 1 - GLP-1; incretin; glucagon-like peptide.