Glucagon-like peptide-2 enhances intestinal epithelial barrier function of both transcellular and paracellular pathways in the mouse.
OBJECTIVE
Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) is a recently identified potent intestinotrophic factor. We have evaluated the effect of GLP-2 treatment on intestinal epithelial barrier function in mice.


METHODS
CD-1 mice were injected subcutaneously with GLP-2 or a protease resistant analogue, h[Gly(2)]GLP-2, twice daily for up to 10 days. Saline injected mice served as controls. Jejunal segments were mounted in Ussing chambers. Tissue conductance was measured and unidirectional fluxes were determined for (i) Na(+) and the small inert probe Cr-EDTA (both transported via the paracellular pathway) and (ii) the macromolecule horseradish peroxidase (HRP, transported via the transcellular pathway).


RESULTS
Mice treated with GLP-2 or h[Gly(2)]GLP-2 for 10 days demonstrated significantly reduced intestinal conductance and fluxes of Na(+), Cr-EDTA, and HRP. Electron microscopy confirmed that GLP-2 reduced endocytic uptake of HRP into enterocytes. Functional changes (evident by four hours) preceded morphological changes (evident by 48 hours).


CONCLUSIONS
GLP-2 enhances intestinal epithelial barrier function by affecting both paracellular and transcellular pathways and thus may be of therapeutic value in a number of gastrointestinal conditions.
Benjamin
M A
MA
Intestinal Disease Research Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
McKay
D M
DM
Yang
P C
PC
Cameron
H
H
Perdue
M H
MH
D000818:Animals; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D020895:Enterocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004848:Epithelium / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D053767:Glucagon-Like Peptide 2; D004763:Glucagon-Like Peptides; D006735:Horseradish Peroxidase / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000187:drug effects*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007583:Jejunum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010455:Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010539:Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism
D053767:Glucagon-Like Peptide 2; D010455:Peptides; D004763:Glucagon-Like Peptides; D004492:Edetic Acid; D012964:Sodium; D006735:Horseradish Peroxidase