Multiple peptide hormones produced within the gastrointestinal system act also in the central nervous system and aid in the regulation of energy homeostasis and metabolism. The list of these peptides is progressively increasing and includes glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) as an anorexigenic factor. GLP-2 is released from enteroendocrine L-cells following food intake and its principal target is represented by the gastrointestinal tract. GLP-2 has been shown to be an important intestinotrophic factor that stimulates epithelial cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis. GLP-2 increases intestinal blood flow and the activity and expression of epithelial brush-border digestive enzymes and nutrient transporters, and consequently increases the intestinal digestive and absorptive capacity. It inhibits gastric and intestinal motility, thus providing another mechanism to increase absorption of nutrients. Current research has focused on determining its physiological actions and its biological mechanisms in the gut, while very little is known on the GLP-2 actions within the brain. This review provides an overview of the state of the art on GLP-2 biology.

peer-reviewed