Knowledge about GLP-1 based therapies changed the possibilities of diabetes treatment, but its use could be much broader
Abstract
GLP-1, the incretin family hormone is produced after a meal stimulus by L-cells which are localized predominantly in distal ileum and ascendent colon. GLP-1 is a strong agent stimulating insulin secretion from the pancreatic β cells.
Its plasma halftime is very short due to its early degradation by dipeptidylpeptidase 4 (DPP-4). DPP-4 inhibitors and GLP-1 analogues represent two groups of incretin based antidiabetic drugs which appeared on the pharmaceutical market some 3-4 years ago.
Item of importance is the GLP-1 impact on cardiovascular system: positive cardiac inotropic effect and protective effect on arterial endothelium. In rodents, increased islet cell regeneration has been observed after GLP-1 administration.
Experiments in animal model further documented a GLP-1 effect on the central nervous system: increased learning ability or improved clinical status as well as histological findings in Alzheimer's disease or Huntington's chorea. These observations give hope for the use of incretin based therapy not only in diabetes