Abstract
It is now widely appreciated that gastrointestinal function is central to the regulation of metabolic homeostasis. Following meal ingestion, the delivery of nutrients from the stomach into the small intestine (i.e., gastric emptying) is tightly controlled to optimise their subsequent digestion and absorption. The complex interaction of intraluminal nutrients (and other bioactive compounds, such as bile acids) with the small and large intestine induces the release of an array of gastrointestinal hormones from specialised enteroendocrine cells (EECs) distributed in various regions of the gut, which in turn to regulate gastric emptying, appetite and postprandial glucose metabolism. Stimulation of gastrointestinal hormone secretion, therefore, represents a promising strategy for the management of metabolic disorders, particularly obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). That EECs are distributed distinctively between the proximal and distal gut suggests that the region of the gut exposed to intraluminal stimuli is of major relevance to the secretion profile of gastrointestinal hormones and associated metabolic responses. This review discusses the process of intestinal digestion and absorption and their impacts on the release of gastrointestinal hormones and the regulation of postprandial metabolism, with an emphasis on the differences between the proximal and distal gut, and implications for the management of obesity and T2DM.
Highlights
As the key interface between ingested nutrients and the body, the gastrointestinal tract is recognised to play a central role in regulating postprandial metabolism
It is widely appreciated that distinctive enteroendocrine cells (EECs) scattered along the gastrointestinal tract, comprising up to 1% of the gut epithelium, constitute the largest endocrine organ in the body, accounting for the release of an array of peptides that orchestrate appetite, energy intake and the blood glucose responses to meals [2]
Given that the distribution of the respective types of EECs varies substantially along the gastrointestinal tract, the region of the gut exposed to intraluminal stimuli is likely to be of major relevance to the secretion profile of gastrointestinal hormones and associated metabolic responses
Summary
As the key interface between ingested nutrients and the body, the gastrointestinal tract is recognised to play a central role in regulating postprandial metabolism. Of particular importance are cholecystokinin (CCK) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) released from the upper small intestine, and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and peptide YY (PYY) secreted mainly from the distal gut These integrated hormonal responses convey important regulatory signals governing subsequent gastric emptying, insulin and glucagon secretion from the pancreas, energy intake, and postprandial glycaemic control. This review discusses nutrient digestion and absorption along the gastrointestinal tract and how these processes influence the secretion of GIP, CCK, GLP-1 and PYY, and highlights the importance of which region of the gut is stimulated to the secretory profiles of these gastrointestinal hormones, the regulation of postprandial metabolism, and the implications for the management of obesity and T2DM. Regional Differences in Nutrient Absorption and Gastrointestinal Hormone Secretion, and Associated Impact on Postprandial Glycemia and Appetite
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
