Minireview: Update on Incretin Biology: Focus on Glucagon-Like Peptide-1

• Published in: Endocrinology (Philadelphia) Vol. 151; no. 5; pp. 1984 - 1989
• Main Author: Brubaker, Patricia L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chevy Chase, MD Endocrine Society 01.05.2010
• Subjects: Animals; Apoptosis - drug effects; Biological and medical sciences; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - drug therapy; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - metabolism; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 - metabolism; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 - therapeutic use; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents - metabolism; Hypoglycemic Agents - pharmacology; Incretins - metabolism; Incretins - pharmacology; Insulin-Secreting Cells - cytology; Insulin-Secreting Cells - drug effects; Insulin-Secreting Cells - metabolism; Receptors, Glucagon - agonists; Receptors, Glucagon - metabolism; Vertebrates: endocrinology; Incretin; Gastrointestinal hormone; Glucagon like peptide 1
• ISSN: 0013-7227; 1945-7170
• DOI: 10.1210/en.2010-0115

The incretin hormone, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), is now being used in the clinic to enhance insulin secretion and reduce body weight in patients with type 2 diabetes. Although much is already known about the biology of GLP-1, much remains to be understood. Hence, this review will consider recent findings related to the potential for enhancing endogenous levels of GLP-1 through selective use of secretagogues and the beneficial cardiovascular, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory effects of GLP-1, as well as the possible effects of GLP-1 to enhance β-cell growth and/or to induce pancreatitis or thyroid cancer. Finally, the potential for molecular medicine to enhance the success of GLP-1 therapy in the clinic is considered. A better understanding of the fundamental biology of GLP-1 may lead to new therapeutic modalities for the clinical use of this intestinal hormone. Although GLP-1 is already used to treat hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes, questions remain with respect to other therapeutic approaches and targets for this hormone.