Glucagon-like peptide-2 inhibits antral emptying in man, but is not as potent as glucagon-like peptide-1.
BACKGROUND
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GLP-2 (glucagon-like peptide-2) are released in equimolar amounts in response to meal ingestion. GLP-1 inhibits gastric emptying and reduces postprandial gastric and exocrine pancreatic secretion and may play a physiological regulatory role in controlling appetite and energy intake in humans. The role of GLP-2 is more uncertain. Based on the results of animal studies, it has been suggested that GLP-2 may induce intestinal epithelial growth and inhibit gastric motility. The aim of this study was to determine to what extent GLP-2 alone or together with GLP-1 inhibits gastric emptying and the sensation of hunger in man.


METHODS
Eight healthy volunteers were tested in a double-blind, placebo-controlled fashion. Antral emptying of a liquid meal and hunger ratings were determined using ultrasound technology and visual analogue scales scoring during infusions of saline, GLP-2 (0.5, and 1.0 pmol kg body wt(-1) min(-1)), GLP-1 (0.5 pmol kg body wt(-1) min(-1)) or GLP-1 and GLP-2 (0.5 pmol kg body wt(-1) min(-1)).


RESULTS
The GLP-2 infusions resulted in a dose-dependent increase in antral emptying time (35%; ns and 75%; P = 0.049) compared to saline, but GLP-2 was less potent than GLP-1, which increased the antral emptying time by 192% (P < 0.001). Addition of GLP-2 to the GLP-1 infusion did not alter the antral emptying time compared with GLP-1 alone. The GLP-1 infusion decreased the sensation of hunger compared with saline (P = 0.023), whereas the two GLP-2 infusions had no significant effect. Addition of GLP-2 to the GLP-1 infusion did not decrease the sensation of hunger further.


CONCLUSIONS
Both GLP-1 and GLP-2 inhibit antral emptying in man, but GLP-1 is more potent.
Nagell
C F
CF
Dept. of Surgical Gastroenterology, Glostrup University Hospital, Denmark.
Wettergren
A
A
Pedersen
J F
JF
Mortensen
D
D
Holst
J J
JJ
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005746:Gastric Emptying; D005768:Gastrointestinal Hormones / Q000502:physiology*; D005934:Glucagon / Q000502:physiology*; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; D053767:Glucagon-Like Peptide 2; D006801:Humans; D006815:Hunger; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000502:physiology*; D010455:Peptides / Q000502:physiology*; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000502:physiology*; D011706:Pyloric Antrum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values; D014463:Ultrasonography
D005768:Gastrointestinal Hormones; D053767:Glucagon-Like Peptide 2; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010455:Peptides; D011498:Protein Precursors; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; D005934:Glucagon