Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1)

Definition

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone produced by the intestinal L cells in response to the ingestion of food. It plays a crucial role in the regulation of glucose homeostasis and is a key target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. GLP-1 stimulates the release of insulin from pancreatic beta cells in a glucose-dependent manner, helping to maintain normal blood glucose levels.
2. GLP-1 also inhibits the secretion of glucagon from pancreatic alpha cells, further contributing to the regulation of blood glucose.
3. GLP-1 slows gastric emptying and reduces appetite, leading to decreased food intake and potentially promoting weight loss.
4. GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as exenatide and liraglutide, are a class of oral antidiabetic drugs that mimic the effects of GLP-1 to improve glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
5. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, another class of oral antidiabetic drugs, work by preventing the breakdown of endogenous GLP-1, thereby increasing its availability and enhancing its effects.

Review Questions

• Explain the role of GLP-1 in the regulation of glucose homeostasis.
  • GLP-1 plays a crucial role in the regulation of glucose homeostasis. It stimulates the release of insulin from pancreatic beta cells in a glucose-dependent manner, helping to maintain normal blood glucose levels. Additionally, GLP-1 inhibits the secretion of glucagon from pancreatic alpha cells, further contributing to the regulation of blood glucose. These actions of GLP-1 make it a valuable target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
• Describe the mechanisms by which GLP-1 receptor agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors improve glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
  • GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as exenatide and liraglutide, mimic the effects of endogenous GLP-1, directly stimulating insulin secretion and inhibiting glucagon release in a glucose-dependent manner. This helps to improve glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes. DPP-4 inhibitors, on the other hand, work by preventing the breakdown of endogenous GLP-1 by the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4). By increasing the availability of GLP-1, DPP-4 inhibitors also enhance the insulin-stimulating and glucagon-inhibiting effects of GLP-1, leading to improved glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
• Analyze the additional benefits of GLP-1-based therapies beyond their effects on glucose homeostasis.
  • In addition to their effects on glucose regulation, GLP-1-based therapies, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, offer additional benefits for individuals with type 2 diabetes. GLP-1 has been shown to slow gastric emptying, which can lead to decreased food intake and potentially promote weight loss. Furthermore, GLP-1 has been found to have neuroprotective and cardioprotective effects, which may contribute to the reduction of cardiovascular risk in patients with type 2 diabetes. These pleiotropic effects of GLP-1-based therapies make them a valuable treatment option for the comprehensive management of type 2 diabetes and its associated comorbidities.

Related terms

Incretin: Incretins are hormones that are released from the gastrointestinal tract in response to the ingestion of food and stimulate the release of insulin from the pancreas.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A chronic metabolic disorder characterized by the body's inability to effectively use insulin, leading to high blood glucose levels.

Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (DPP-4): An enzyme that rapidly inactivates GLP-1, making it a target for the development of antidiabetic drugs that inhibit DPP-4 to increase GLP-1 levels.