Secretion Of Proglucagon-derived Peptides Research Articles

17-β Estradiol regulates proglucagon-derived peptide secretion in mouse and human α- and L cells.

Clinical and experimental data indicate a beneficial effect of estrogens on energy and glucose homeostasis associated with improved insulin sensitivity and positive effects on insulin secretion. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of estrogens on proglucagon-producing cells, pancreatic α cells, and enteroendocrine L cells. The consequences of sexual hormone deprivation were evaluated in ovariectomized mice (ovx). Ovx mice exhibited impaired glucose tolerance during oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT), which was associated with decreased GLP-1 intestinal and pancreatic secretion and content, an effect that was reversed by estradiol (E2) treatment. Indeed, E2 increased oral glucose-induced GLP-1 secretion in vivo and GLP-1 secretion from primary culture of mouse and human α cells through the activation of all 3 estrogen receptors (ERs), whereas E2-induced GLP-1 secretion from mouse and human intestinal explants occurred only by ERβ activation. Underlying the implication of ERβ, its selective agonist WAY20070 was able to restore glucose tolerance in ovx mice at least partly through plasma GLP-1 increase. We conclude that E2 directly controls both α- and L cells to increase GLP-1 secretion, in addition to its effects on insulin and glucagon secretion, highlighting the potential beneficial role of the estrogenic pathway and, more particularly, of ERβ agonists to prevent type 2 diabetes.

Fasting levels of glicentin are higher in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patients exhibiting postprandial hypoglycemia during a meal test

BackgroundPost-bypass postprandial hypoglycemia (PPH) is a frequent complication of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) but predictors remain poorly identified and are needed to assess individual risk. After RYGB, exaggerated secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and insulin could lead to PPH, but other proglucagon-derived peptides, including glicentin and glucagon, could also contribute to this phenomenon. ObjectivesTo identify biological hypoglycemia in relation to the secretion of proglucagon-derived peptides during a mixed-meal test (MMT) in RYGB patients. SettingUniversity hospital. MethodsTwenty RYGB patients reporting symptoms consistent with PPH were examined 36.9 ± 5.1 months after surgery. Plasma levels of glucose, c-peptide, glucagon, GLP-1 and glicentin were assessed before and during MMT. Patients with postprandial hypoglycemia ≤3 mM (54 mg/dL) during MMT were assigned to HYPO group and compared with patients not exhibiting hypoglycemia (NONHYPO group). ResultsSeven patients displayed hypoglycemia ≤3 mM (HYPO) during the MMT. Lower fasting glycemia (4.5 mM versus 5.3 mM, P<.05) and higher fasting glicentin (22.6 pM versus 14.0 pM, P<.05) were observed in HYPO versus NONHYPO patients. Fasting glicentin was inversely correlated with postprandial nadir glucose. Examining the receiver-operating characteristics curve analysis, a cutoff of 17.2 pM for fasting glicentin identified PPH with 85.7% sensitivity and 53.8% specificity. All patients exhibited a similar increase of postprandial GLP-1, glucagon, and glicentin secretions that correlated with each other. ConclusionsThese results suggest that fasting glicentin is a potential biomarker to examine in operated-obese patients at risk of developing PPH. Further studies are needed before proposing fasting glicentin as a predictive factor of PPH.

Heterogeneity of glucagonomas due to differential processing of proglucagon-derived peptides.

SummaryPancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (pNETs) secreting proglucagon are associated with phenotypic heterogeneity. Here, we describe two patients with pNETs and varied clinical phenotypes due to differential processing and secretion of proglucagon-derived peptides (PGDPs). Case 1, a 57-year-old woman presented with necrolytic migratory erythema, anorexia, constipation and hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia. She was found to have a grade 1 pNET, small bowel mucosal thickening and hyperglucagonaemia. Somatostatin analogue (SSA) therapy improved appetite, abolished hypoglycaemia and improved the rash. Case 2, a 48-year-old male presented with diabetes mellitus, diarrhoea, weight loss, nausea, vomiting and perineal rash due to a grade 1 metastatic pNET and hyperglucagonaemia. In both cases, plasma levels of all measured PGDPs were elevated and attenuated following SSA therapy. In case 1, there was increased production of intact glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and GLP-2, similar to that of the enteroendocrine L cell. In case 2, pancreatic glucagon was elevated due to a pancreatic α-cell-like proglucagon processing profile. In summary, we describe two patients with pNETs and heterogeneous clinical phenotypes due to differential processing and secretion of PGDPs. This is the first description of a patient with symptomatic hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia and marked gastrointestinal dysfunction due to, in part, a proglucagon-expressing pNET.Learning points PGDPs exhibit a diverse range of biological activities including critical roles in glucose and amino acid metabolism, energy homeostasis and gastrointestinal physiology.The clinical manifestations of proglucagon-expressing tumours may exhibit marked phenotypic variation due to the biochemical heterogeneity of their secreted peptide repertoire.Specific and precise biochemical assessment of individuals with proglucagon-expressing tumours may provide opportunities for improved diagnosis and clinical management.

Phenotypic heterogeneity associated with proglucagon-expressing tumours is due to differential processing and secretion of proglucagon-derived peptides

Phenotypic heterogeneity associated with proglucagon-expressing tumours is due to differential processing and secretion of proglucagon-derived peptides

Glucagon-Like Peptide-2: Update of the Recent Clinical Trials

Although long-term parenteral nutrition is lifesaving in patients with intestinal failure, it is expensive and associated with serious complications such as catheter sepsis, venous occlusions, and liver failure and severely impairs the quality of life in the short bowel patients. Therefore, treatments that increase the absolute intestinal absorption, thereby eliminating or minimizing the need for parenteral support, are needed. In this respect, glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) has received attention. In this review, the nature of the short bowel syndrome is described, and the antisecretory, transit-modulating, but also intestinotrophic effects of GLP-2 are presented. As illustrated in 2 pilot studies, one using native GLP-2 and the other a degradation-resistant analogue, teduglutide, these new agents may prove important in optimizing remnant intestinal function, thereby eliminating the need for parenteral support and improving quality of life in short bowel patients with intestinal failure.

Gastrin-releasing peptide is a novel mediator of proximal nutrient-induced proglucagon-derived peptide secretion from the distal gut.

The ileal proglucagon-derived peptides (PGDPs) play important roles in the regulation of gastric function and insulin secretion. We have previously demonstrated the existence of a proximal-distal enteroendocrine loop mediated by glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP), through which intestinal PGDP secretion is stimulated after placement of nutrients in the duodenum. To study the possible involvement of neuropeptides in this loop, we infused gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) into anesthetized rats at 47, 235, or 470 ng/h. GRP stimulated secretion of the intestinal PGDPs only at the highest dose, from 250 +/- 18 to 321 +/- 9 pg/ml (P < 0.05). Gastrin secretion was also increased by GRP infusion (from 20 +/- 7 to 75 +/- 19 pg/ml; P < 0.05); however, GIP release was not altered from basal levels. Placement of fat into the duodenum stimulated the secretion of both the intestinal PGDPs and GIP (to 618 +/- 221 and 417 +/- 154 pg/ml above basal, respectively; P < 0.05). However, infusion of the GRP antagonist, BW10 (3 ng/h), completely abrogated the PGDP response to duodenal fat (P < 0.05). In contrast, the GIP response was reduced by 56 +/- 15% (P < 0.05) with BW10 administration, but remained elevated compared to the basal level (P < 0.05). Removal of the entire intestine distal to the fat-infused duodenal segment prevented the rise in intestinal PGDPs, but not that of GIP, demonstrating the distal and proximal origins of these peptides, respectively. Thus, placement of fat into the duodenum stimulated the release of the PGDPs from the distal intestine through a GRP-dependent mechanism. Although GIP plays a role in regulating intestinal PGDP secretion in the rat, GRP appears to exert its effects independent of changes in GIP.

Gastrin-releasing peptide is a novel mediator of proximal nutrient- induced proglucagon-derived peptide secretion from the distal gut

Gastrin-releasing peptide is a novel mediator of proximal nutrient- induced proglucagon-derived peptide secretion from the distal gut

Stereospecific effects of fatty acids on proglucagon-derived peptide secretion in fetal rat intestinal cultures.

The ingestion of fats is a potent stimulus for the secretion of the proglucagon-derived peptides (PGDPs), including the insulinotropic peptide glucagon-like peptide-1 from the intestinal L cell. The aim of the study was to characterize the structural requirements for fatty acid-induced secretion of the PGDPs and investigate the cellular mechanisms through which fatty acids mediate PGDP secretion. Fetal rat intestinal cell cultures were incubated with 10-150 microM fatty acids that differed in chain length (14-18 carbons) and degree of unsaturation (0-2). Inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC) and fatty acid esterification and oxidation were also incubated with the cells in the presence of stimulatory fatty acids. The cultures were assayed for glucagon-like immunoreactivity and glucagon-like peptide-1-(7-36)NH2 secretion. Monounsaturated fatty acids of chain length greater than 14 carbons stimulated PGDP secretion by 1.8 to 3.4-fold in a dose-dependent fashion (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). Enhanced PGDP secretion was lost upon full saturation of the stimulatory fatty acids. Furthermore, although blockade of fatty acid esterification with a carboxyl methyl ester group prevented PGDP secretion, inhibition of fatty acid oxidation with methyl palmoxirate did not prevent PGDP secretion. Finally, the use of various inhibitors of PKC (staurosporine, H7, 24-h down-regulation) also did not alter fatty acid-induced PGDP secretion. In conclusion, monounsaturated long-chain fatty acids possessing a free carboxyl group stimulate intestinal PGDP secretion. Neither fatty acid oxidation nor classical isoforms of PKC appear to be directly involved in this response. Therefore, the structure of the fatty acid plays a central role in inducing intestinal PGDP secretion. These findings suggest that fat composition may significantly affect the magnitude of the GLP-1 response to ingested nutrients.

Stereospecific effects of fatty acids on proglucagon-derived peptide secretion in fetal rat intestinal cultures

The ingestion of fats is a potent stimulus for the secretion of the proglucagon-derived peptides (PGDPs), including the insulinotropic peptide glucagon-like peptide-1 from the intestinal L cell. The aim of the study was to characterize the structural requirements for fatty acid-induced secretion of the PGDPs and investigate the cellular mechanisms through which fatty acids mediate PGDP secretion. Fetal rat intestinal cell cultures were incubated with 10-150 microM fatty acids that differed in chain length (14-18 carbons) and degree of unsaturation (0-2). Inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC) and fatty acid esterification and oxidation were also incubated with the cells in the presence of stimulatory fatty acids. The cultures were assayed for glucagon-like immunoreactivity and glucagon-like peptide-1-(7-36)NH2 secretion. Monounsaturated fatty acids of chain length greater than 14 carbons stimulated PGDP secretion by 1.8 to 3.4-fold in a dose-dependent fashion (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). Enhanced PGDP secretion was lost upon full saturation of the stimulatory fatty acids. Furthermore, although blockade of fatty acid esterification with a carboxyl methyl ester group prevented PGDP secretion, inhibition of fatty acid oxidation with methyl palmoxirate did not prevent PGDP secretion. Finally, the use of various inhibitors of PKC (staurosporine, H7, 24-h down-regulation) also did not alter fatty acid-induced PGDP secretion. In conclusion, monounsaturated long-chain fatty acids possessing a free carboxyl group stimulate intestinal PGDP secretion. Neither fatty acid oxidation nor classical isoforms of PKC appear to be directly involved in this response. Therefore, the structure of the fatty acid plays a central role in inducing intestinal PGDP secretion. These findings suggest that fat composition may significantly affect the magnitude of the GLP-1 response to ingested nutrients.

Role of glutamate in regulating hypothalamic proglucagon-derived peptide secretion in vitro

We have previously demonstrated expression of the proglucagon gene and synthesis and secretion of the proglucagon-derived peptides (PGDP s) in the fetal rat hypothalamus. The excitatory amino acid glutamate has been found to be a key regulator of hypothalamic neuroendocrine hormone secretion. Therefore, the effects of glutamate on hypothalamic PGDP secretion and synthesis were examined in the present study, using the hypothalamic culture model. Glutamate (10 μM) significantly stimulated PGDP secretion (P < 0.01), but had no effect on the total PDGP content of the cultures over 24 hr of incubation. Similarly, the metabotropic/ionotropic glutamate receptor agonist, quisqualic acid (10 μM) stimulated PGDP secretion only (P < 0.05). In contrast, the ionotropic glutamate receptor agonist, alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA; 10 μM) and antagonist, 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2, 3-dione (CNQX; 10 μM), had no effects on either secretion or content of the hypothalamic PGDPs. These findings suggest that excitatory amino acids, and glutamate in particular, regulate secretion but not synthesis of the PGDPs in the hypothalamus.

Regulation of intestinal proglucagon-derived peptide secretion by glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide in a novel enteroendocrine loop.

Incretins are intestinal factors that stimulate postprandial insulin secretion in preparation for subsequent rises in plasma levels of ingested nutrients. Glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP), a duodenal endocrine peptide, is ideally located for such a function. In contrast, the intestinal proglucagon-derived peptide (PGDP), truncated GLP-1 [GLP-1(7-37) or tGLP-1] is equipotent to GIP in insulinotropic activity, but due to its localization in the distal ileum, appears to be poorly situated to fulfill an incretin role in response to direct nutrient stimulation. Despite its distribution, rapid increments in plasma levels of tGLP-1 have been noted in response to nutrient ingestion. We have recently reported that GIP (but not other nutrient-stimulated duodenal endocrine peptides) can stimulate intestinal PGDP secretion in vitro, and therefore hypothesized that GIP might regulate secretion of the intestinal PGDPs, including tGLP-1, in response to nutrient ingestion in vivo in the rat. Placement of either fat or glucose directly into the ileal lumen was demonstrated to significantly stimulate secretion of the intestinal PGDPs (P < 0.05), whereas fat or glucose in the duodenal lumen significantly increased plasma levels of GIP (P < 0.05). In addition, however, duodenal fat treatment also increased the secretion of intestinal PGDPs into the circulation (P < 0.05), with levels rising to same extent as observed after direct administration of fat into the ileum. The rise in plasma GIP levels in response to duodenal fat treatment occurred slightly before the increments in intestinal PGDP levels, suggesting a relationship between the two peptides. Intravenous infusion of GIP to give concentrations similar to those observed after duodenal fat administration induced a 2-fold increase in plasma levels of intestinal PGDPs that was independent of glycemic levels (P < 0.05). No increment in intestinal PGDPs was found in response to infusion of another duodenal endocrine peptide, cholecystokinin. Thus, these data demonstrate a specific effect of GIP to stimulate secretion of the intestinal PGDPs in vivo in the rat. This enteroendocrine loop between the duodenal peptide GIP and the ileal PGDPs may account for some of the early rises in secretion of tGLP-1 observed in response to nutrient ingestion.

Regulation of intestinal proglucagon-derived peptide secretion by glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide in a novel enteroendocrine loop

Incretins are intestinal factors that stimulate postprandial insulin secretion in preparation for subsequent rises in plasma levels of ingested nutrients. Glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP), a duodenal endocrine peptide, is ideally located for such a function. In contrast, the intestinal proglucagon-derived peptide (PGDP), truncated GLP-1 [GLP-1(7-37) or tGLP-1] is equipotent to GIP in insulinotropic activity, but due to its localization in the distal ileum, appears to be poorly situated to fulfill an incretin role in response to direct nutrient stimulation. Despite its distribution, rapid increments in plasma levels of tGLP-1 have been noted in response to nutrient ingestion. We have recently reported that GIP (but not other nutrient-stimulated duodenal endocrine peptides) can stimulate intestinal PGDP secretion in vitro, and therefore hypothesized that GIP might regulate secretion of the intestinal PGDPs, including tGLP-1, in response to nutrient ingestion in vivo in the rat. Placement of either fat or glucose directly into the ileal lumen was demonstrated to significantly stimulate secretion of the intestinal PGDPs (P < 0.05), whereas fat or glucose in the duodenal lumen significantly increased plasma levels of GIP (P < 0.05). In addition, however, duodenal fat treatment also increased the secretion of intestinal PGDPs into the circulation (P < 0.05), with levels rising to same extent as observed after direct administration of fat into the ileum. The rise in plasma GIP levels in response to duodenal fat treatment occurred slightly before the increments in intestinal PGDP levels, suggesting a relationship between the two peptides. Intravenous infusion of GIP to give concentrations similar to those observed after duodenal fat administration induced a 2-fold increase in plasma levels of intestinal PGDPs that was independent of glycemic levels (P < 0.05). No increment in intestinal PGDPs was found in response to infusion of another duodenal endocrine peptide, cholecystokinin. Thus, these data demonstrate a specific effect of GIP to stimulate secretion of the intestinal PGDPs in vivo in the rat. This enteroendocrine loop between the duodenal peptide GIP and the ileal PGDPs may account for some of the early rises in secretion of tGLP-1 observed in response to nutrient ingestion.

Secretion of Proglucagon-Derived Peptides in Response to Intestinal Luminal Nutrients*

To establish whether secretion of proglucagon-derived peptides (PGDPs) by the intestinal L cell is nutrient- and/or location-dependent, 0.9% saline, 200 mM glucose, or emulsified fats were administered into the ileal or duodenal lumen of normal rats. Fat administration, but not saline or glucose treatment, significantly increased circulating levels of the intestinal PGDPs in a time-dependent fashion, indicating a selectivity of the L cell in its response to nutrients. Interestingly, the response to duodenal fats was quantitatively and qualitatively identical to the response to ileal fats, despite 50-fold lower concentrations of PGDPs in the duodenum. These results suggest the existence of a duodenal factor that stimulates ileal PGDP secretion in response to fat ingestion. Ileal and plasma levels of gut PGDPs have been reported to be elevated in poorly controlled streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Whether the sensitivity of the L cell to luminal nutrients is altered in diabetes was, therefore, also examined. The L cell responses to luminal nutrients in diabetic rats were not significantly different from those of the normal rat, indicating a normal responsiveness of the L cell. However, independent of changes in glycemia, luminal glucose perfusion significantly decreased circulating glucagon levels in normal rats, but not in diabetics. Furthermore, luminal fat administration increased plasma glucagon levels in normal rats only. These results indicate that moderately controlled diabetes is associated with alterations in the pancreatic A cell, but not the intestinal L cell response to ingested nutrients. The results of the present study indicate that the response of the intestinal L cell to ingested food is nutrient-specific and that this specificity is not altered in diabetes. A duodenal-ileal axis is proposed to contribute to increments in circulating intestinal PGDPs in response to nutrient ingestion.

Regulation of Intestinal Proglucagon- Derived Peptide Secretion by Intestinal Regulatory Peptides*

The physiological regulation of intestinal proglucagon-derived peptide secretion has not been well studied. We have therefore used a fetal rat intestinal cell culture model to investigate the control of secretion of the gut glucagon-like immunoreactive (GLI) peptides by other intestinal regulatory peptides in vitro. Secretion of the intestinal GLI peptides was found to be stimulated in a dose-dependent fashion by the intestinal endocrine peptide, gastric inhibitory peptide (at greater than or equal to 10(-10) M, P less than 0.05), and by the neurocrine peptides, gastrin-releasing peptide (at greater than or equal to 10(-12) M, P less than 0.05), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (at greater than or equal to 10(-8) M, P less than 0.05). Gastrin-releasing peptide and its amphibian equivalent, bombesin were equipotent in stimulating GLI peptide secretion. In contrast, the endocrine and neurocrine intestinal somatostatin-related peptides, somatostatin-28 and -14, inhibited release of the GLI peptides, at concentrations of 10(-10) (P less than 0.01) and 10(-8) (P less than 0.01) M, respectively, with significant differences in potency between the two peptides detected at 10(-10) M (P less than 0.05). The inhibitory effects of both somatostatin-28 and -14 could be blocked by preincubation of the cells with pertussis toxin (P less than 0.05). Dose-dependent stimulation of gut GLI peptide secretion was also detected in response to treatment of cultured cells with sodium oleate (at 10(-4) M; P less than 0.05), or with the cholinergic agonist bethanecol (at greater than or equal to 100 microM; P less than 0.05). Other endocrine [cholecystokinin, glucagon, glucagon-like peptide-1(1-37), glucagon-like peptide-1(7-37), glucagon-like peptide-2, neurotensin, and peptide YY] and neurocrine (vasoactive intestinal peptide) peptides, and the synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, were without effect on secretion of the gut GLI peptides, at doses of 10(-12) to 10(-6) M. The results of the present study therefore demonstrate that secretion of the intestinal proglucagon-derived peptides is under the regulatory control of a wide variety of intestinal endocrine and neurocrine peptides, as well as nutrients (fats) and neurotransmitters (acetylcholine).

Tissue-specific differences in the levels of proglucagon-derived peptides in streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

The synthesis and secretion of proglucagon-derived peptides are regulated in a tissue-specific manner in pancreas, intestine, and brain. We have examined the plasma and tissue levels of these peptides during the first 3 weeks of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in the rat. Plasma glucose levels were markedly elevated (P less than 0.0001) within 24 h of STZ administration. The plasma levels of glucagon-like immunoreactive (GLI) peptides were significantly elevated on days 8-22 of diabetes (P less than 0.05-0.001). Ileal GLI peptide concentrations rose in parallel with the plasma levels (r = 0.39; P less than 0.006) to 250% of control levels (P less than 0.001); however, pancreatic GLI peptide content increased only transiently on day 1 (P less than 0.05). No significant differences in the posttranslational processing of proglucagon in normal or diabetic rats could be detected. The increment in ileal GLI peptide content was not associated with increases in intestinal proglucagon mRNA transcripts. In contrast, pancreatic, but not intestinal, somatostatin mRNA levels were increased on day 22 of diabetes. Diabetic rats were found to have small but significant changes in GLI and immunoreactive glucagon peptide content of the hypothalamus and medulla oblongata (P less than 0.05). These observations suggest that STZ-induced diabetes may produce tissue-specific perturbations in the biosynthesis and secretion of the proglucagon-derived peptides.