Apraglutide, a novel glucagon-like peptide-2 analog, improves fluid absorption in patients with short bowel syndrome intestinal failure: Findings from a placebo-controlled, randomized phase 2 trial

Pharmacokinetics and Tolerability of a Single Dose of Apraglutide, a Novel, Long-Acting, Synthetic glucagon-like peptide-2 Analog With a Unique Pharmacologic Profile, in Individuals With Impaired Renal Function

Renal impairment is a common complication in patients with short bowel syndrome with intestinal failure (SBS-IF). Glucagon-like peptide-2 analogs, such as apraglutide, have been developed as a treatment option for SBS-IF. This study assessed the potential for apraglutide overexposure in individuals with severely impaired renal function versus healthy volunteers with normal renal function. In this phase 1, open-label, multicenter, nonrandomized, parallel-group study, a single dose of apraglutide 5 mg was administered subcutaneously to individuals with severely impaired renal function (<30 mL/min/1.73 m2) and healthy volunteers with normal renal function (≥90 mL/min/1.73 m2). Primary pharmacokinetic endpoints were maximum observed concentration (Cmax) and exposure to apraglutide (area under the curve [AUC] from time 0 to infinity [AUCinf], and AUC from time 0 to the last quantifiable concentration [AUClast]). Each group comprised 8 individuals. Results show that patients with severe renal impairment do not have increased apraglutide exposure. Apraglutide achieved a lower Cmax and AUCinf in individuals with severe renal impairment versus those with normal renal function (Cmax = 36.9 vs 59.5 ng/L; AUCinf = 3100 vs 4470 h · ng/mL, respectively). The respective geometric mean ratios were 0.620 and 0.693 for Cmax and AUCinf, and the upper bound of their 90% confidence intervals were <2, indicating patients with severe renal impairment were not overexposed to apraglutide versus those with normal renal function. Adverse events were mild or moderate in severity. Apraglutide does not require dose reduction for any degree of renal impairment and could be used in a broader patient population of renally impaired patients without dose adjustment.

Emerging drugs for the treatment of short bowel syndrome

INTRODUCTION

SBS is a rare and disabling condition. The standard management is based on diet optimization with parenteral supplementation. In addition, glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2)analogs, have shown promising results as disease-modifying therapies for SBS.

AREAS COVERED

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is defined as a reduction in functional intestinal length to less than 200 cm, leading to intestinal failure (IF) leading to malnutrition and parenteral support dependency. This review discusses the current management of SBS-CIFpatients, the place of GLP-2 analog treatment in terms of efficacy, safety and availability, and the new perspectives opened by the use of enterohormones.

EXPERT OPINION

Clinical trials and real-world experience demonstrated that Teduglutide   reduces dependence on parenteral support and has a place in the management of patients with SBS-CIF.  The use of Teduglutide should be discussed in patients stabilized after resection and its introduction requires the advice of an expert center capable of assessing the benefit-risk ratio. The complex, individualized management of SBS-C IF requires theexpertise of a specialized IF center which a multidisciplinary approach. The arrival of new treatments will call for new therapeutic strategies, and the question of how to introduce and monitor them will represent a new therapeutic challenge.

Efficacy and safety of glucagon-like peptide 2 in patients with short bowel syndrome: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) is a highly conserved enteroendocrine hormone that seems to be a regulator promoting intestinal adaptation. This study aimed to summarize the evidence on the efficacy and safety of exogenous GLP-2 in patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS).

METHODS

A database search was performed on PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, Ovid, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials in November 2022. Clinical trials on the effect of GLP-2 on patients with SBS were included. The Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 and Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies - of Interventions tools for quality assessment of randomized and nonrandomized trials were used. The extracted data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively using a network meta-analysis model.

RESULTS

This study included 23 clinical trials with 843 patients. The patients' ages ranged from 4.0 to 62.4 years. The treatment doses were 0.1, 0.05, and 0.025 mg/kg/day for teduglutide; 5 and 10 mg/week for apraglutide, and 0.1, 1, and 10 mg/day for glepaglutide. The treatment duration ranged from 1 to 32 weeks. Regarding citrulline level, 0.1 mg/kg/day of teduglutide had the highest mean difference (MD; 14.77; 95% CI, 10.20-19.33), followed by 0.05 mg/kg/day (13.04; 95% CI, 9.79-16.2) and 0.025 mg/kg/day (7.84; 95% CI, 2.42-13.26) of teduglutide. In addition, the effect estimate showed significant differences between all teduglutide dose groups and the control group. Different doses of glepaglutide were analyzed to assess the effect on alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels, in which 0.1 mg/day of glepaglutide showed a significantly higher MD (20.71; 95% CI, 2.62-38.80) than 1 mg/day (the reference) and 10 mg/day (8.45; 95% CI, -10.72 to 27.62) of glepaglutide. However, 0.1 vs 10 mg of glepaglutide has an MD of -14.57 (95% CI, -437.24 to 148.11) for the indirect estimate, whereas 10 mg of glepaglutide has an MD of 8.45 (95% CI, -10.72 to 27.62) for the network estimate. Regarding safety outcomes, there was no significant difference among all teduglutide and apraglutide dose groups compared with the control group. Catheter-related bloodstream infection was the most common adverse event reported with the use of apraglutide, teduglutide, and glepaglutide.

CONCLUSION

Despite the small number of patients in the included studies and variable follow-up duration, GLP-2 seems to be safe and effective in patients with SBS. GLP-2 showed a positive effect on increasing plasma citrulline level and decreasing ALP level.

GLP-2 regulation of intestinal lipid handling

Lipid handling in the intestine is important for maintaining energy homeostasis and overall health. Mishandling of lipids in the intestine contributes to dyslipidemia and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. Despite advances in this field over the past few decades, significant gaps remain. The gut hormone glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) has been shown to play pleotropic roles in the regulation of lipid handling in the intestine. Of note, GLP-2 exhibits unique actions on post-prandial lipid absorption and post-absorptive release of intestinally stored lipids. This review aims to summarize current knowledge in how GLP-2 regulates lipid processing in the intestine. Elucidating the mechanisms of GLP-2 regulation of intestinal lipid handling not only improves our understanding of GLP-2 biology, but also provides insights into how lipids are processed in the intestine, which offers opportunities for developing novel strategies towards prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases.

Glucagon-like peptide agonists: A prospective review

BACKGROUND

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have emerged as promising therapeutic options for addressing Type-2 diabetes, obesity, and related conditions. Among these, semaglutide, tirzepatide, liraglutide etc., all notable GLP-1RA, have gained attention owing to their favourable pharmacological properties and clinical efficacy.

AIMS

This comprehensive review aims to provide a detailed analysis of both the currently available GLP-1RAs in the market and those undergoing clinical trials. The focus is on examining their mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, efficacy in glycemic control and weight management, safety profile, and potential applications.

MATERIALS & METHODS

The review employs a systematic approach to gather information on GLP-1RAs. Relevant literature from the currently literature and ongoing clinical trials is thoroughly examined. Detailed scrutiny is applied to understand the mechanism of action, pharmacokinetic properties, and clinical outcomes of these agents.

RESULTS

The review presents a comprehensive overview of the GLP-1RAs, highlighting their distinct mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetic profiles, and clinical effectiveness in glycemic control and weight management. Safety profiles are also discussed, providing a holistic understanding of these therapeutic agents.

DISCUSSION

The findings are discussed in the context of advancements in the field of GLP-1RAs. Potential applications beyond diabetes and obesity are explored, shedding light on the broader implications of these agents in managing related conditions.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this review underscores the significance of GLP-1RAs, with a specific focus on semaglutide, in the management of type 2 diabetes, obesity, and beyond. By synthesizing information on their mechanisms, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety, this review provides valuable insights into the potential benefits these agents offer, contributing to the ongoing discourse in the field.

Nutrition and Intestinal Rehabilitation of Children With Short Bowel Syndrome: A Position Paper of the ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition. Part 2: Long-Term Follow-Up on Home Parenteral Nutrition

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is the leading cause of intestinal failure (IF) in children. The preferred treatment for IF is parenteral nutrition which may be required until adulthood. The aim of this position paper is to review the available evidence on managing SBS and to provide practical guidance to clinicians dealing with this condition. All members of the Nutrition Committee of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) contributed to this position paper. Some renowned experts in the field joined the team to guide with their expertise. A systematic literature search was performed from 2005 to May 2021 using PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. In the absence of evidence, recommendations reflect the expert opinion of the authors. Literature on SBS mainly consists of retrospective single-center experience, thus most of the current papers and recommendations are based on expert opinion. All recommendations were voted on by the expert panel and reached >90% agreement. This second part of the position paper is dedicated to the long-term management of children with SBS-IF. The paper mainly focuses on how to achieve intestinal rehabilitation, treatment of complications, and on possible surgical and medical management to increase intestinal absorption.

The indications and results of the use of teduglutide in patients with short bowel

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a rare condition defined as a reduced residual functional small intestinal length to less than 200 cm often resulting from extensive intestinal resection, and can lead to chronic intestinal failure (CIF). Patients with SBS-CIF are unable to absorb sufficient nutrients or fluids to maintain metabolic homeostasis through oral or enteral intake and require long-term parenteral nutrition and/or fluids and electrolytes. However, complications may arise from both SBS-IF and life-sustaining intravenous support, such as intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD), chronic renal failure, metabolic bone disease and catheter-related complications. An interdisciplinary approach is required to optimize intestinal adaptation and decrease complications. In the last two decades, glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) analogs have sparked pharmacological interest as a potential disease-modifying therapy for SBS-IF. Teduglutide (TED) is the first developed and marketed GLP-2 analog for SBS-IF. It is approved in the United States, Europe, and Japan for use in adults and children with SBS-IF who are intravenous supplementation dependent. This article discusses the indications, candidacy criteria and results of the use of TED in patients with SBS.

Differential Responses of the GLP-1 and GLP-2 Receptors to N-Terminal Modification of a Dual Agonist

Class B1 G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), collectively, respond to a diverse repertoire of extracellular polypeptide agonists and transmit the encoded messages to cytosolic partners. To fulfill these tasks, these highly mobile receptors must interconvert among conformational states in response to agonists. We recently showed that conformational mobility in polypeptide agonists themselves plays a role in activation of one class B1 GPCR, the receptor for glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Exchange between helical and nonhelical conformations near the N-termini of agonists bound to the GLP-1R was revealed to be critical for receptor activation. Here, we ask whether agonist conformational mobility plays a role in the activation of a related receptor, the GLP-2R. Using variants of the hormone GLP-2 and the designed clinical agonist glepaglutide (GLE), we find that the GLP-2R is quite tolerant of variations in α-helical propensity near the agonist N-terminus, which contrasts with signaling at the GLP-1R. A fully α-helical conformation of the bound agonist may be sufficient for GLP-2R signal transduction. GLE is a GLP-2R/GLP-1R dual agonist, and the GLE system therefore enables direct comparison of the responses of these two GPCRs to a single set of agonist variants. This comparison supports the conclusion that the GLP-1R and GLP-2R differ in their response to variations in helical propensity near the agonist N-terminus. The data offer a basis for development of new hormone analogues with distinctive and potentially useful activity profiles; for example, one of the GLE analogues is a potent agonist of the GLP-2R but also a potent antagonist of the GLP-1R, a novel form of polypharmacology.

Intestinal adaptation and rehabilitation

Massive intestinal resection is a regrettably necessary but life-saving intervention for progressive or fulminant necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). However, the resultant short bowel syndrome (SBS) poses its own array of challenges and complications. Within hours of such an abrupt loss of intestinal length, the intestine begins to adapt. Our ability to understand this process of intestinal adaptation has proven critical in our ability to clinically treat the challenging problem of short bowel syndrome. This review first highlights key data relating to intestinal adaptation including structural and functional changes, biochemical regulation, and other factors affecting the magnitude of intestinal adaptation responses. We then focus on intestinal rehabilitation as it relates to strategies to enhance intestinal adaptation while meeting nutritional needs and preventing complications of parenteral nutrition.

Post-Marketing Use of Teduglutide in a Large Cohort of Adults with Short Bowel Syndrome-Associated Chronic Intestinal Failure: Evolution and Outcomes

Teduglutide, a GLP-2 analogue, has been available in France since 2015 to treat short-bowel-syndrome (SBS)-associated chronic intestinal failure (CIF) but it remains very expensive. No real-life data on the number of potential candidates are available. The aim of this real-life study was to assess teduglutide initiation and outcomes in SBS-CIF patients. All SBS-CIF patients cared for in an expert home parenteral support (PS) center between 2015 and 2020 were retrospectively included. Patients were divided into two subpopulations: prevalent patients, already cared for in the center before 2015, and incident patients, whose follow-up started between 2015 and 2020. A total of 331 SBS-CIF patients were included in the study (156 prevalent and 175 incident patients). Teduglutide was initiated in 56 patients (16.9% of the cohort); in 27.9% of prevalent patients and in 8.0% of incident patients, with a mean annual rate of 4.3% and 2.5%, respectively. Teduglutide allowed a reduction in the PS volume by 60% (IQR: 40-100), with a significantly higher reduction in incident versus prevalent patients (p = 0.02). The two- and five-year treatment retention rates were 82% and 64%. Among untreated patients, 50 (18.2%) were considered ineligible for teduglutide for non-medical reasons. More than 25% of prevalent SBS patients were treated with teduglutide compared to 8% of incident patients. The treatment retention rate was >80% at 2 years, which could be explained by a careful selection of patients. Furthermore, this real-life study confirmed the long-term efficacy of teduglutide and showed a better response to teduglutide in incident patients, suggesting a benefit in early treatment.

Treatment of short bowel syndrome: Breaking the therapeutic ceiling?

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is the most common cause of chronic intestinal failure, requiring home parenteral support (intravenous fluid, parenteral nutrition, or parenteral nutrition with intravenous fluid) to compensate for severe malabsorption. The loss of mucosal absorptive area after extensive intestinal resection is accompanied by an accelerated transit and hypersecretion. Changes in physiology and clinical outcomes differ between patients with SBS with or without the distal ileum and/or colon-in-continuity. This narrative review summarizes the treatments used in SBS, with a focus on novel approaches with intestinotrophic agents. During the early postoperative years, spontaneous adaptation occurs and can be induced or accelerated with conventional therapies, which include dietary and fluid modifications and antidiarrheal and antisecretory drugs. Based on the proadaptive role of enterohormones (eg, glucagon-like peptide [GLP]-2), analogues have been developed to allow enhanced or hyperadaptation after a period of stabilization. Teduglutide is the first GLP-2 analogue developed and commercialized with proadaptive effects resulting in reduced parenteral support needs; however, the potential for weaning of parenteral support is variable. Whether early treatment with enterohormones or accelerated hyperadaptation would further improve absorption and outcomes remains to be shown. Longer-acting GLP-2 analogues are currently being investigated. Encouraging reports with GLP-1 agonists require confirmation in randomized trials, and dual GLP-1 and GLP-2 analogues have yet to be clinically investigated. Future studies will prove whether the timing and/or combinations of different enterohormones will be able to break the ceiling of intestinal rehabilitation in SBS.

Pathophysiology of gastrointestinal acute graft-versus-host disease and the potential role of glucagon-like peptide 2

Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is a life-threatening complication after allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation, with gastrointestinal (GI) tract involvement (GI aGVHD) being one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Whilst systemic steroids are the standard first-line treatment for aGVHD, approximately 50% of patients become steroid refractory (SR), which is associated with poor outcomes. Existing options for SR-GVHD are limited, and there is a significant unmet need for new non-immunosuppressive treatment approaches in patients with GI aGVHD. Here, we review newer concepts in the pathogenesis of GI aGVHD and present the evidence for the role of glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) in maintaining and protecting GI epithelial cells, including the enterocytes, intestinal stem cells and Paneth cells, which are direct targets of aGVHD. Finally, we discuss the therapeutic rationale for GLP-2 treatment as a tissue regeneration approach and the potential use of the novel GLP-2 analogue apraglutide as an adjunctive treatment for GI aGVHD.

Current short bowel syndrome management: An era of improved outcomes and continued challenges

Prior to the late 1960s, pediatric short bowel syndrome was a frequently fatal disease. Currently, pediatric interdisciplinary bowel rehabilitation centers report very high survival rates. The mortality trends, up-to-date definitions, incidence, causes, and clinical manifestations of short bowel syndrome are reviewed. Emphasis is placed upon the nutritional, medical, and surgical advances that have contributed to the dramatic improvement in outcomes for pediatric short bowel syndrome patients. Recent findings and remaining challenges are highlighted.

Therapeutic Potential of GLP-2 Analogs in Gastrointestinal Disorders: Current Knowledge, Nutritional Aspects, and Future Perspectives

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Although Glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 receptor agonists have been used for almost two decades in the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2 and, lately, in obesity, recent years have seen an increasing interest in the pharmacological agonism of other proglucagon-derived peptides, including GLP-2. Herein, we aimed to review the available evidence on the effects of GLP-2 agonism from animal and clinical studies. Furthermore, we summarize the current clinical applications of GLP-2 agonists among patients with intestinal failure associated with short bowel syndrome (SBS-IF) as well as potential future expansion of their indications to other intestinal disorders.

RECENT FINDINGS

Evidence from preclinical studies has highlighted the cellular trophic and functional beneficial actions of GLP-2 on small intestinal and colonic mucosa. Subsequently, pharmacologic agonism of GLP-2 has gathered interest for the treatment of patients with conditions pertaining to the loss of intestinal anatomical and/or functional integrity to a degree requiring parenteral support, collectively referred to as intestinal failure. GLP-2 analogs positively influence nutrient absorption in animal models and humans, although continued therapy is likely needed for sustained effects. The degradation-resistant GLP-2-analog teduglutide has received approval for the treatment of SBS-IF, in which it may decisively reduce patient dependency on parenteral support and improve quality of life. Another two longer-acting analogs, glepaglutide and apraglutide, are currently undergoing phase III clinical trials. The use of GLP-2 analogs is effective in the management of SBS-IF and may show promise in the treatment of other severe gastrointestinal disorders associated with loss of effective intestinal resorptive surface area.

Glucagon-like peptide-2 analogues for Crohn’s disease patients with short bowel syndrome and intestinal failure

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) with intestinal failure (IF) is a rare but severe complication of Crohn’s disease (CD), which is the most frequent benign condition that leads to SBS after repeated surgical resections, even in the era of biologics and small molecules. Glucagon-like peptide-2 analogues have been deeply studied recently for the treatment of SBS-IF. These drugs have a significant intestinotrophic effect and the potential to reduce the chronic dependence of SBS-IF patients on parenteral support or nutrition. Teduglutide has been approved for the treatment of SBS-IF, and apraglutide is currently in clinical development. The use of these drugs was examined with a focus on their use in CD patients.

Novel Therapeutic Approaches for Mitigating Complications in Short Bowel Syndrome

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a particularly serious condition in which the small intestine does not absorb sufficient nutrients for biological needs, resulting in severe illness and potentially death if not treated. Given the important role of the gut in many signaling cascades throughout the body, SBS results in disruption of many pathways and imbalances in various hormones. Due to the inability to meet sufficient nutritional needs, an intravenous form of nutrition, total parental nutrition (TPN), is administered. However, TPN presents difficulties such as severe liver injury and altered signaling secondary to the continued lack of luminal contents. This manuscript aims to summarize relevant studies into the systemic effects of TPN on systems such as the gut-brain, gut-lung, and gut-liver axis, as well as present novel therapeutics currently under use or investigation as mitigation strategies for TPN induced injury.

GLP-1 and GLP-2 Orchestrate Intestine Integrity, Gut Microbiota, and Immune System Crosstalk

The intestine represents the body’s largest interface between internal organs and external environments except for its nutrient and fluid absorption functions. It has the ability to sense numerous endogenous and exogenous signals from both apical and basolateral surfaces and respond through endocrine and neuronal signaling to maintain metabolic homeostasis and energy expenditure. The intestine also harbours the largest population of microbes that interact with the host to maintain human health and diseases. Furthermore, the gut is known as the largest endocrine gland, secreting over 100 peptides and other molecules that act as signaling molecules to regulate human nutrition and physiology. Among these gut-derived hormones, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and -2 have received the most attention due to their critical role in intestinal function and food absorption as well as their application as key drug targets. In this review, we highlight the current state of the literature that has brought into light the importance of GLP-1 and GLP-2 in orchestrating intestine–microbiota–immune system crosstalk to maintain intestinal barrier integrity, inflammation, and metabolic homeostasis.

Disease-modifying therapies in short bowel syndrome

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is the main cause of chronic intestinal failure (IF), defined as 'the reduction of gut function below the minimum necessary for the absorption of macronutrients and/or water and electrolytes, such that intravenous supplementation is required to maintain health and/or growth'. SBS is a rare disease requiring a multidisciplinary approach in specialized IF units. The aim of this review was to discuss the current pharmacological management of SBS-associated IF, since emerging treatments are currently modifying the natural evolution of these patients. Enterohormone therapy has become the first-choice treatment and may decrease the need for parenteral support and improve patients' quality of life.

Apraglutide, a novel once-weekly glucagon-like peptide-2 analog, improves intestinal fluid and energy absorption in patients with short bowel syndrome: An open-label phase 1/2 metabolic balance trial

BACKGROUND

Apraglutide is a novel long-acting glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) analog designed for once-weekly subcutaneous dosing with the potential to increase fluid and nutrient absorption by the remnant intestine of patients who have short bowel syndrome (SBS) with intestinal insufficiency (SBS-II) or intestinal failure (SBS-IF). This trial investigated the safety and effects on intestinal absorption of apraglutide in patients with SBS-II and SBS-IF.

METHODS

In this open-label, phase 1/2 trial, adult patients with SBS-II (n=4) or SBS-IF (n=4) and fecal output of ≥1,500 g/day received once-weekly subcutaneous 5 mg apraglutide for four weeks. Safety was the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints included change from baseline in intestinal absorption of wet weight (indicative of fluid absorption), electrolytes, and energy (by bomb calorimetry) measured by inpatient metabolic balance studies.

RESULTS

Common treatment-related adverse events were decreased gastrointestinal (GI) stoma output (n=6), stoma complications (n=6), GI stoma complications (n=5), nausea (n=5), flatulence (n=4), abnormal GI stoma output (n=4), polyuria (n=3) and abdominal pain (n=3). The only treatment-related serious adverse event, experienced in one patient, was abdominal pain. Apraglutide significantly increased wet weight and energy absorption by an adjusted mean of 741 g/day (95% CI 194; 1,287; P=0.015) and 1,095 kJ/day (95% CI 196; 1,994; P=0.024), respectively. Sodium and potassium absorption significantly increased by an adjusted mean of 38 mmol/day (95% CI 3; 74; P=0.039) and 18 mmol/day (95% CI 4; 32; P=0.020), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Once-weekly 5 mg apraglutide was well-tolerated in patients with SBS-II and SBS-IF and significantly improved the absorption of fluids, electrolytes, and energy. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Complementary and antagonistic effects of combined glucagon-like peptide-2 and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist administration on parameters relevant to short bowel syndrome

BACKGROUND

Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS) is characterized by debilitating malabsorption requiring parenteral nutrition. The intestinotrophic glucagon-like peptide-2 receptor agonist, h[Gly2]GLP2, is currently used to treat patients with SBS. Recent evidence suggests that GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Exendin-4 (Ex4) may also be beneficial in SBS given their ability to increase intestinal growth and delay gastric emptying (GE).

METHODS

Intestinal growth, body weight (BW), food intake (FI), GE, gastrointestinal (GI) transit, intestinal permeability, and glucose tolerance were investigated in male and female C57/BL6 mice following vehicle, h[Gly2]GLP2 or Ex4 treatment, alone or in combination at "low", "medium", and "high" doses (0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 0.01, 0.05, 0.1 μg/g, respectively).

RESULTS

Only the h[Gly2]GLP2 low/Ex4 high-dose combination increased small intestinal (SI) weight, in an additive manner, compared to vehicle and both mono-agonists (P<0.01-0.001), via increases in villus height (P<0.01) and SI length (P<0.05), respectively. This combination had no effects on BW, FI and fat, liver, spleen, heart and kidney weights, but reduced GI transit (P<0.001) compared to low-dose h[Gly2]GLP2 mono-treatment, and abrogated the inhibitory effects of high-dose Ex4 on GE (P<0.01) and of low-dose h[Gly2]GLP2 on intestinal permeability (P<0.05). Ex4-induced improvements in glucose homeostasis were maintained upon combination with h[Gly2]GLP2 (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that combining specific doses of GLP-2-based therapies and GLP-1 receptor agonists additively improves SI growth and GI transit without detrimental effects on BW, FI, GE, and glucose homeostasis, and may therefore be a useful approach to the treatment of patients with SBS. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.