An emerging role of glucagon-like peptide-1 in preventing advanced-glycation-end-product-mediated damages in diabetes.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a gut hormone produced in the intestinal epithelial endocrine L cells by differential processing of the proglucagon gene. Released in response to the nutrient ingestion, GLP-1 plays an important role in maintaining glucose homeostasis. GLP-1 has been shown to regulate blood glucose levels by stimulating glucose-dependent insulin secretion and inhibiting glucagon secretion, gastric emptying, and food intake. These antidiabetic activities highlight GLP-1 as a potential therapeutic molecule in the clinical management of type 2 diabetes, (a disease characterized by progressive decline of beta-cell function and mass, increased insulin resistance, and final hyperglycemia). Since chronic hyperglycemia contributed to the acceleration of the formation of Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs, a heterogeneous group of compounds derived from the nonenzymatic reaction of reducing sugars with free amino groups of proteins implicated in vascular diabetic complications), the administration of GLP-1 might directly counteract diabetes pathophysiological processes (such as pancreatic β-cell dysfunction). This paper outlines evidence on the protective role of GLP-1 in preventing the deleterious effects mediated by AGEs in type 2 diabetes.
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Italy.
Alessandra
A
Puddu
François
F
Mach
Alessio
A
Nencioni
Giorgio Luciano
GL
Viviani
Fabrizio
F
Montecucco
D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017127:Glycation End Products, Advanced / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
D017127:Glycation End Products, Advanced; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1