GLP-2alpha accelerates recovery of mucosal absorptive function after intestinal ischemia/reperfusion

GLP-2 Prevents Neuronal and Glial Changes in the Distal Colon of Mice Chronically Treated with Cisplatin

Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic agent widely used for the treatment of solid cancers. Its administration is commonly associated with acute and chronic gastrointestinal dysfunctions, likely related to mucosal and enteric nervous system (ENS) injuries, respectively. Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) is a pleiotropic hormone exerting trophic/reparative activities on the intestine, via antiapoptotic and pro-proliferating pathways, to guarantee mucosal integrity, energy absorption and motility. Further, it possesses anti-inflammatory properties. Presently, cisplatin acute and chronic damages and GLP-2 protective effects were investigated in the mouse distal colon using histological, immunohistochemical and biochemical techniques. The mice received cisplatin and the degradation-resistant GLP-2 analog ([Gly2]GLP-2) for 4 weeks. Cisplatin-treated mice showed mucosal damage, inflammation, IL-1β and IL-10 increase; decreased number of total neurons, ChAT- and nNOS-immunoreactive (IR) neurons; loss of SOX-10-IR cells and reduced expression of GFAP- and S100β-glial markers in the myenteric plexus. [Gly2]GLP-2 co-treatment partially prevented mucosal damage and counteracted the increase in cytokines and the loss of nNOS-IR and SOX-10-IR cells but not that of ChAT-IR neurons. Our data demonstrate that cisplatin causes mucosal injuries, neuropathy and gliopathy and that [Gly2]GLP-2 prevents these injuries, partially reducing mucosal inflammation and inducing ENS remodeling. Hence, this analog could represent an effective strategy to overcome colonic injures induced by cisplatin.

Evidence of attenuation of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury following pre-treatment with methanolic extracts from Chromolena odorata in rats

BACKGROUND

Chromolena odorata is a tropical species of flowering shrub in the family Asteraceae, leaves of it have been reported to be widely used as herbal remedy for the treatment of various ailments. It is particularly reported to be useful in the healing of wounds.

METHODS

We investigated the possibility of amelioration of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in rats treated with methanolic extract of C. odorata (MECO). Wistar albino rats were divided randomly into five groups of six animals each as control, IR-treated, IR+200 mg/kg MECO, IR+400 mg/kg MECO, and IR+200 mg/kg vitamin C. Pre-treatment with MECO or vitamin C was for 7 days.

RESULTS

The contents of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly reduced by MECO and vitamin C, while there were significant enhancements of the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT), as well as the content of reduced glutathione (GSH) in pre-treated rats compared to IR-treated rats. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity was not significantly affected in all the groups. Histopathological examination of small intestinal mucosa revealed significant attenuation of intestinal pathology in animals pre-treated with MECO, while IR injury produced severe villi erosion, necrosis, and inflammatory cell infiltrations.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study highlights the antioxidant activities of MECO and its ability to inhibit inflammatory cell infiltration as mechanisms involved in its protection against IR injury in the intestine of rats, an effect that was largely comparable to that of vitamin C.

Effects of centrally injected glucagon-like peptide-2 on gastric mucosal blood flow in rats: possible mechanisms

"Glucagon-like peptide-2" (GLP-2) is a peptide that is released from the enteroendocrine L cells in response to food in the gastrointestinal tract. Peripheral injection of GLP-2 has been shown to increase gastrointestinal blood flow, but effects of central GLP-2 on any vascular bed has not been studied yet. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of various doses of intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.)-injected GLP-2 on gastric mucosal blood flow (GMBF) and contribution of calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), nitric oxide synthase-nitric oxide (NOS-NO) and cyclooxygenase-prostaglandin (COX-PG) systems to the possible effect. The gastric chamber technique was used to determine GMBF. Urethane anesthesia was used throughout the recording procedure. Male Wistar rats were treated with GLP-2 (100, 150 ve 200ng/10μl; i.c.v.) or saline (10μl; i.c.v.) in order to find out the effective dose of i.c.v. GLP-2 on GMBF. Then, CGRP receptor antagonist CGRP-(8-37) (10μg/kg; s.c.), NOS inhibitor NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME; 30mg/kg; s.c.) or COX inhibitor indomethacin (5mg/kg; i.p.) was injected before the effective dose of i.c.v. GLP-2. GMBF was measured continuously for 35min following GLP-2 and recorded every fifth minute. Non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test was used for statistical analysis. Differences were considered to be significant at p<0.05. GMBF increased rapidly following 100ng GLP-2 injection and did not fall to the basal levels during 35min. Other doses of i.c.v. GLP-2 did not produce any significant difference in GMBF. CGRP receptor antagonist, CGRP-(8-37) (10μg/kg; s.c.) and COX inhibitor indomethacin (5mg/kg; i.p.) significantly prevented the increase in GMBF due to GLP-2 (100ng; i.c.v.), while l-NAME (30mg/kg; s.c.) was ineffective. None of the drugs produced a significant change in GMBF when administered alone. Thus we suggest that, i.c.v. GLP-2 increases GMBF and CGRP and endogenous prostaglandins but not NO, contribute to this effect.

Exogenous glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) prevents chemotherapy-induced mucositis in rat small intestine

PURPOSE

Gastrointestinal mucositis is an unwanted and often dose-limiting side effect to most cancer treatments. Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) is a peptide secreted from intestinal L-cells in response to nutrient intake. The peptide is involved in the regulation of apoptosis and proliferation in the intestine. We aimed to investigate the role of GLP-2 in experimental chemotherapy-induced mucositis. METHODS STUDY 1: Rats were given a single injection with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and killed in groups of five each day for 5 days. Blood samples were analysed for GLP-2 concentrations. The intestine was analysed for weight loss, morphometric estimates and proliferation. STUDY 2: Rats were treated with GLP-2 or control vehicle 2 days before a single injection of 5-FU or saline. The treatments continued until kill 2 days after. The intestine was investigated for influx of myeloperoxidase (MPO)-positive cells and morphometric estimates, such as villus height, as a marker of mucositis. RESULTS STUDY 1: Two days after chemotherapy, there was a rise in endogenous GLP-2, followed by a marked increase in proliferation. STUDY 2: Exogenous GLP-2 was able to protect the intestine from severe weight loss and completely prevented the reduction in villus height in the control rats. Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in influx of MPO-positive cells in the GLP-2-treated rats.

CONCLUSION

GLP-2 is secreted from the intestine in response to intestinal injury, probably explaining the compensatory hyperproliferation after chemotherapy. Exogenous GLP-2 can protect the mucosa from chemotherapy-induced mucositis in rats.

Protective effects of L-carnitine on intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury in a rat model

BACKGROUND

Ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury of the intestine is a major problem in abdominal pathological condition and is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. The purpose of the study is to determine whether the L-carnitine can prevent the harmful effects of small intestinal IR injury in rats.

METHODS

Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups. Sham operated group (S), for shamoperated, the IR group for rats submitted to 45-minute of intestinal ischemia and 2-hour reperfusion, and IR+L group for those IR group treated with L-carnitine before reperfusion. All the rats were given EmGFP labelled E. coli DH5α through gavage 2-hour before the operative procedure. Afterwards the bacterial translocation (BT) from mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), liver, spleen, lung and portal vein blood were detected. And the colony forming units/g (CFU/g) were counted. The TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 in serum were measured by ELISA. The morphometric study was measured by Chius classification.

RESULTS

The levels of BT were higher in the IR group than IR+L group (P < 0.05). The E. coli DH5α was hardly detected in the S group. The IR+L rats had enhancement of IL-10 and suppressed production of serum TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, compared to IR group rats (P < 0.05). The degree of pathological impairment in small intestine was lighter in IR+L than IR group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The L-carnitine pretreatment has a positive effect on reducing levels of BT, on inhibiting secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, and on lessening intestinal mucosa injury during small intestinal IR injury.

KEYWORDS

L-carnitine; Ischemia/reperfusion injury; Intestine.

Mediators of glucagon-like peptide 2-induced blood flow: responses in different vascular sites

The aims of the present study were: to characterize the mechanisms of hemodynamic alterations induced by GLP-2, and, to compare the responses elicited in the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) to other vascular beds. Anesthetized rats were infused at the doses of 0.9, 2.3, 4.6 and 9.3 nmol/kg into the jugular vein for 60 min. Blood flow in the various arteries was measured by the ultrasonic transit time technique. Some animals were pretreated with indomethacin (5 mg/kg, ip), L-NAME (9, 18, 36 and 72 micromol/kg, iv), atropine sulfate (1-2 mg/kg, iv), CCK-1 and CCK-2 receptor antagonists (L-364,718 and L-365,260, 1 mg/kg, iv), exendin (9-39) amide (35 nmol/kg, iv) and lidocaine (74 micromol/kg, iv) prior to the infusion of GLP-2 (4.6 nmol/kg). In another group, capsaicin was applied either systematically (125 mg/kg, sc) or vagally (1 mg/rat). GLP-2 administration at all doses significantly increased the SMA blood flow throughout the experiments. GLP-2 (4.6 nmol/kg) infusion significantly increased blood flow of inferior mesenteric artery and carotid artery but not in any other vessel measured. Only the pretreatments with L-NAME and lidocaine were ineffective in preventing the GLP-2-induced responses. These results implicate that GLP-2-induced blood flow alterations are most significant in the SMA and are not mediated by prostaglandins, muscarinic, GLP-1 or CCK receptors. Our results also suggest that the stimulatory effect of GLP-2 on SMA blood flow is NO-dependent and mediated via intrinsic, non-cholinergic enteric neurons.

Proglucagon-derived peptides: mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential

Glucagon is used for the treatment of hypoglycemia, and glucagon receptor antagonists are under development for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Moreover, glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 and GLP-2 receptor agonists appear to be promising therapies for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and intestinal disorders, respectively. This review discusses the physiological, pharmacological, and therapeutic actions of the proglucagon-derived peptides, with an emphasis on clinical relevance of the peptides for the treatment of human disease.

Clinical endocrinology and metabolism. Glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucagon-like peptide-2

The glucagon-like peptides (glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2)) are released from enteroendocrine cells in response to nutrient ingestion. GLP-1 enhances glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and inhibits glucagon secretion, gastric emptying and feeding. GLP-1 also has proliferative, neogenic and antiapoptotic effects on pancreatic beta-cells. More recent studies illustrate a potential protective role for GLP-1 in the cardiovascular and central nervous systems. GLP-2 is an intestinal trophic peptide that stimulates cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis in the intestinal crypt compartment. GLP-2 also regulates intestinal glucose transport, food intake and gastric acid secretion and emptying, and improves intestinal barrier function. Thus, GLP-1 and GLP-2 exhibit a diverse array of metabolic, proliferative and cytoprotective actions with important clinical implications for the treatment of diabetes and gastrointestinal disease, respectively. This review will highlight our current understanding of the biology of GLP-1 and GLP-2, with an emphasis on both well-characterized and more novel therapeutic applications of these peptides.

Glucagon-like peptide 2 improves intestinal wound healing through induction of epithelial cell migration in vitro—evidence for a TGF-β-mediated effect

BACKGROUND/AIMS

In vitro studies suggest that glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2), secreted from enteroendocrine cells in the gastrointestinal tract after food intake, is able to ameliorate mucosal injury in settings of human disease characterized by injury and dysfunction of the intestinal mucosal epithelium. We evaluated this potential of GLP-2 after epithelial trauma by using two in vitro models measuring intestinal epithelial cell proliferation and cell migration.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Injuries were induced in confluent monolayers of the small intestinal cells lines IEC-6 and IEC-18, as well as in the colonic cell lines Caco-2 and Colo 320. GLP-2 (50-500 nM) or other peptides were added to the media. Wound healing was investigated after 24 h by quantification of the number of cells migrating across the wound edge. Proliferation of cells was assessed by using photometric mitochondrial incorporation measurement of MTT (3-[4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide). Monoclonal TGF-beta antibodies were added to wounded monolayers to examine whether the GLP-2-induced wound healing was TGF-beta-mediated.

RESULTS

Migration assessments revealed a significant stimulation of GLP-2-induced migration in IEC-6 and IEC-18 monolayers compared to the placebo group. No effect was observed in the colon cancer cell lines Caco-2 and Colo 320. Results of the proliferation assays show a significant inhibition of proliferation by GLP-2 in small intestinal cell lines whereas a dose-dependent stimulation of proliferation in colonic epithelial cells was observed. Addition of neutralizing TGF-beta1 antibodies to wounded IEC-6 and IEC-18 monolayers incubated with GLP-2 significantly reduced the number of migrating cells to the level of the placebo group.

CONCLUSIONS

In our in vitro model, it was shown that the GLP-2-induced improvement of intestinal wound healing is TGF-beta-mediated. These effects were predominant in the epithelium of the small intestine compared to colonic epithelium. Our findings provide further insight into mechanisms leading to GLP-2-induced mucosal wound healing. These results suggest that GLP-2 or analogues of this peptide may potentially be useful for the treatment of intestinal disorders characterized by injury and ineffective repair of the intestinal mucosa.

International Union of Pharmacology. XXXV. The glucagon receptor family

Peptide hormones within the secretin-glucagon family are expressed in endocrine cells of the pancreas and gastrointestinal epithelium and in specialized neurons in the brain, and subserve multiple biological functions, including regulation of growth, nutrient intake, and transit within the gut, and digestion, energy absorption, and energy assimilation. Glucagon, glucagon-like peptide-1, glucagon-like peptide-2, glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide, growth hormone-releasing hormone and secretin are structurally related peptides that exert their actions through unique members of a structurally related G protein-coupled receptor class 2 family. This review discusses advances in our understanding of how these peptides exert their biological activities, with a focus on the biological actions and structural features of the cognate receptors. The receptors have been named after their parent and only physiologically relevant ligand, in line with the recommendations of the International Union of Pharmacology Committee on Receptor Nomenclature and Drug Classification (NC-IUPHAR).

Glucagon-like peptides: regulators of cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis

Peptide hormones are secreted from endocrine cells and neurons and exert their actions through activation of G protein-coupled receptors to regulate a diverse number of physiological systems including control of energy homeostasis, gastrointestinal motility, neuroendocrine circuits, and hormone secretion. The glucagon-like peptides, GLP-1 and GLP-2 are prototype peptide hormones released from gut endocrine cells in response to nutrient ingestion that regulate not only energy absorption and disposal, but also cell proliferation and survival. GLP-1 expands islet mass by stimulating pancreatic beta-cell proliferation and induction of islet neogenesis. GLP-1 also promotes cell differentiation, from exocrine cells or immature islet progenitors, toward a more differentiated beta-cell phenotype. GLP-2 stimulates cell proliferation in the gastrointestinal mucosa, leading to expansion of the normal mucosal epithelium, or attenuation of intestinal injury in experimental models of intestinal disease. Both GLP-1 and GLP-2 exert antiapoptotic actions in vivo, resulting in preservation of beta-cell mass and gut epithelium, respectively. Furthermore, GLP-1 and GLP-2 promote direct resistance to apoptosis in cells expressing GLP-1 or GLP-2 receptors. Moreover, an increasing number of structurally related peptide hormones and neuropeptides exert cytoprotective effects through G protein-coupled receptor activation in diverse cell types. Hence, peptide hormones, as exemplified by GLP-1 and GLP-2, may prove to be useful adjunctive tools for enhancement of cell differentiation, tissue regeneration, and cytoprotection for the treatment of human disease.

New advances in the molecular and cellular biology of the small intestine

Research into the structure and function of the small intestinal mucosa is becoming increasingly focused on the molecular and cellular biology of this fascinating tissue. There is a growing understanding of the factors determining the expression of specific genes at different stages of development and differentiation in the multiple cell types, and several important transcription factors have emerged. Recent publications have included studies of the effects of commensal bacteria on gene expression and the molecules producing apoptosis. Mechanisms of the intestinal adaptation to injury or surgery involve a number of hormones; current research has shown a major role for glucagon-like peptide 2.

Biological actions and therapeutic potential of the glucagon-like peptides

The glucagon-like peptides (GLP-1 and GLP-2) are proglucagon-derived peptides cosecreted from gut endocrine cells in response to nutrient ingestion. GLP-1 acts as an incretin to lower blood glucose via stimulation of insulin secretion from islet beta cells. GLP-1 also exerts actions independent of insulin secretion, including inhibition of gastric emptying and acid secretion, reduction in food ingestion and glucagon secretion, and stimulation of beta-cell proliferation. Administration of GLP-1 lowers blood glucose and reduces food intake in human subjects with type 2 diabetes. GLP-2 promotes nutrient absorption via expansion of the mucosal epithelium by stimulation of crypt cell proliferation and inhibition of apoptosis in the small intestine. GLP-2 also reduces epithelial permeability, and decreases meal-stimulated gastric acid secretion and gastrointestinal motility. Administration of GLP-2 in the setting of experimental intestinal injury is associated with reduced epithelial damage, decreased bacterial infection, and decreased mortality or gut injury in rodents with chemically induced enteritis, vascular-ischemia reperfusion injury, and dextran sulfate-induced colitis. GLP-2 also attenuates chemotherapy-induced mucositis via inhibition of drug-induced apoptosis in the small and large bowel. GLP-2 improves intestinal adaptation and nutrient absorption in rats after major small bowel resection, and in humans with short bowel syndrome. The actions of GLP-2 are mediated by a distinct GLP-2 receptor expressed on subsets of enteric nerves and enteroendocrine cells in the stomach and small and large intestine. The beneficial actions of GLP-1 and GLP-2 in preclinical and clinical studies of diabetes and intestinal disease, respectively, has fostered interest in the potential therapeutic use of these gut peptides. Nevertheless, the actions of the glucagon-like peptides are limited in duration by enzymatic inactivation via cleavage at the N-terminal penultimate alanine by dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DP IV). Hence, inhibitors of DP IV activity, or DP IV-resistant glucagon-like peptide analogues, may be alternative therapeutic approaches for treatment of human diseases.