Glucagon-like peptide-1: a major regulator of pancreatic beta-cell function.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a gut hormone synthesized by post-translational processing in intestinal L-cells, and it is released in response to food ingestion. GLP-1 stimulates insulin secretion during hyperglycemia, suppresses glucagon secretion, stimulates (pro)-insulin biosynthesis and decreases the rate of gastric emptying and acid secretion. GLP-1 has also been shown to have a pro-satiety effect. In addition, it has been demonstrated that a long-term infusion with GLP-1, or exendin-4, a long-acting analog of human GLP-1, increases beta-cell mass in rats. In conclusion, GLP-1 appears to regulate plasma glucose levels via various and independent mechanisms. GLP-1 is an excellent candidate option for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.