Proglucagon contains the sequence of two glucagonlike peptides, GLP-1 and GLP-2, secreted from enteroendocrine cells of the small and large intestine. GLP-1 lowers blood glucose in both NIDDM and IDDM patients and may be therapeutically useful for treatment of patients with diabetes. GLP-1 regulates blood glucose via stimulation of glucose-dependent insulin secretion, inhibition of gastric emptying, and inhibition of glucagon secretion. GLP-1 may also regulate glycogen synthesis in adipose tissue and muscle; however, the mechanism for these peripheral effects remains unclear. GLP-1 is produced in the brain, and intracerebroventricular GLP-1 in rodents is a potent inhibitor of food and water intake. The short duration of action of GLP-1 may be accounted for in part by the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-IV), which cleaves GLP-1 at the NH2-terminus; hence GLP-1 analogs or the lizard peptide exendin-4 that are resistant to DPP-IV cleavage may be more potent GLP-1 molecules in vivo. GLP-2 has recently been shown to display intestinal growth factor activity in rodents, raising the possibility that GLP-2 may be therapeutically useful for enhancement of mucosal regeneration in patients with intestinal disease. This review discusses recent advances in our understanding of the biological activity of the glucagon-like peptides.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
Perspectives in Diabetes|
February 01 1998
Glucagon-Like Peptides
Daniel J Drucker
Daniel J Drucker
Department of Medicine, the Toronto Hospital; and the Banting and Best Diabetes Centre, University of Toronto
Ontario, Canada
Search for other works by this author on:
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Daniel J. Drucker, The Toronto Hospital, 200 Elizabeth St., CCRW3-838, Toronto, Canada M5G 2C4. E-mail: d.drucker@utoronto.ca
Diabetes 1998;47(2):159–169
Article history
Received:
September 09 1997
Revision Received:
October 08 1997
Accepted:
October 08 1997
PubMed:
9519708
Citation
Daniel J Drucker; Glucagon-Like Peptides. Diabetes 1 February 1998; 47 (2): 159–169. https://doi.org/10.2337/diab.47.2.159
Download citation file:
935
Views