The role of GLP-1 in the regulation of islet cell mass.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone capable of restoring euglycemia in glucose-intolerant subjects and improving glucose control in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Whether the antidiabetic properties of GLP-1 are exclusively the result of its acute postprandial action is being investigated. A GLP-1-dependent differentiation of pancreatic precursor cells into mature beta-cells has been proposed. In addition, GLP-1 has been shown to have antiapoptotic activity in cultured insulin-secreting cells and in an animal model in which diabetes occurs as a consequence of an excessive rate of beta-cell apoptosis. Studies from our laboratory, and others, lead us to propose that GLP-1 is a growth factor for pancreatic cells and it is a regulator of islet cell mass. The aim of this article is to review those reports that have emphasized the role of GLP-1 as a regulator of islet cell mass as well as its insulin secretory action.
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Angela
A
Bulotta
Loredana
L
Farilla
Hongxiang
H
Hui
Riccardo
R
Perfetti
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D054795:Incretins / Q000378:metabolism; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000166:cytology; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000166:cytology*; D051379:Mice; D019518:Postprandial Period; D051381:Rats
D054795:Incretins; D007328:Insulin; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; D005947:Glucose