Therapeutic potential of glucagon-like peptide 1 in type 2 diabetes.
GLP-1 is a peptide hormone which has been shown to have a variety of antidiabetic actions that could help to reduce glycaemia especially in Type 2 diabetic patients: (1) It produces glucose-dependent stimulation of insulin secretion, and (2) inhibition of glucagon secretion; (3) there is evidence that it increases the rate of (pro)-insulin synthesis and it may also increase insulin sensitivity; (4) it slows the rate of gastric emptying for liquid meals, and possibly also for solid meals; (5) it appears to act within the central nervous system to suppress appetite. These actions of GLP-1 oppose a number of the abnormalities that are commonly observed in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Many facets of Type 2 diabetes, therefore, could be envisaged as a consequence of a lack of GLP-1 effects; they appear to be corrected by the exogenous administration of this gut peptide in short-term experiments. Future activities will aim at the therapeutic exploitation of this pharmacological potential by modifying GLP-1 and its ways of administration to suit the practical needs of patients with Type 2 diabetes.
Medizinische Universitätsklinik, Bochum, Germany.
M
M
Nauck
D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000187:drug effects*; D005934:Glucagon / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; D004763:Glucagon-Like Peptides; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019518:Postprandial Period; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011498:Protein Precursors; C055453:glucagon-like peptide 1 (7-36)amide; D004763:Glucagon-Like Peptides; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; D005934:Glucagon