
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Glucagon-like peptide-1
Introduction
Synonyms and keywords: GLP-1
Overview
Overview
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is derived from the transcription product of the proglucagon gene. The major source of GLP-1 in the body is the intestinal L cell that secretes GLP-1 as a gut hormone. The biologically active forms of GLP-1 are: GLP-1-(7-37) and GLP-1-(7-36)NH2.
GLP-1 secretion by L cells is dependent on the presence of nutrients in the lumen of the small intestine. The secretagogues (agents that causes or stimulates secretion) of this hormone include major nutrients like carbohydrate, protein and lipid. Once in the circulation, GLP-1 has a half life of less than 2 minutes, due to rapid degradation by the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4.

Physiological functions
Physiological functions
GLP-1 possesses several physiological properties that make it a subject of intensive investigation as a potential treatment of diabetes mellitus.[1][2][3]. The known physiological functions of GLP-1 include:
See also
See also
References
References
- ↑ “Diabetes and Intestinal Incretin Hormones: A New Therapeutic Paradigm” at medscape.com (slide 36)
- ↑ Toft-Nielsen M, Madsbad S, Holst J (2001). “Determinants of the effectiveness of glucagon-like peptide-1 in type 2 diabetes”. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 86 (8): 3853–60. PMID 11502823.
- ↑ Meier J, Weyhe D, Michaely M, Senkal M, Zumtobel V, Nauck M, Holst J, Schmidt W, Gallwitz B (2004). “Intravenous glucagon-like peptide 1 normalizes blood glucose after major surgery in patients with type 2 diabetes”. Crit Care Med. 32 (3): 848–51. PMID 15090972.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
