The glucagon-like peptides: pleiotropic regulators of nutrient homeostasis

Abstract

The glucagon-like peptides, GLP-1 and GLP-2, are cosecreted by intestinal L cells in response to nutrient ingestion. These peptides exert multiple effects on the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas to regulate the digestion, absorption, and assimilation of ingested nutrients, as well as providing feedback signals to the brain to modulate food intake. Tropic effects of GLP-1 and GLP-2 on their major peripheral target tissues, the beta cell and the intestinal epithelium, respectively, further enhance capacity for nutrient handling. When taken together, these findings demonstrate the diverse actions of the intestinal glucagon-like peptides to regulate nutrient homeostasis.