The Role of Gastrointestinal and Neuronal Peptides in the Pathophysiology of Diabetes Mellitus

The pancreatic islet hormone secretion is modulated by one or more gastrointestinal peptides (“gut-factor”) secreted in response to various types of ingested nutrients. Among a number of postulated candidates for the putative “gut-factor”, the gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) has recently emerged as a most likely enteric signal of physiologic import, although its precise role in the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus remains incompletely understood. During the past decade, an avalanche of knowledge has accumulated regarding a number of peptide agents common to the gastro-enteric-pancreatic system and the nervous system. Preliminary evidence indicates a potential role of several of these peptides in the pathophysiology of diabetes. For instance, cholecystokinin and human pancreatic polypeptide (hPP) may be importantly involved in the regulation of appetite and satiety control and the development of obesity whereas somatostatin, “endorphins”, and neurotensin may directly or indirectly modulate islet hormone secretion. Finally the significance of the recently demonstrated presence of insulin and glucagon or glicentin-like peptides in the brain requires close scrutiny.