An Emerging Role of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 in Preventing Advanced-Glycation-End-Product-Mediated Damages in Diabetes

• Published in: Mediators of Inflammation 2013-01, Vol.2013 (2013), p.11-19-201
• Main Authors: Puddu, Alessandra, Mach, François, Nencioni, Alessio, Viviani, Giorgio Luciano, Montecucco, Fabrizio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - drug therapy; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - metabolism; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 - metabolism; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 - therapeutic use; Glycation End Products, Advanced - metabolism; Humans; Review; Signal Transduction - drug effects
• ISSN: 0962-9351; 1466-1861
• DOI: 10.1155/2013/591056

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a gut hormone produced in the intestinal epithelial endocrine L cells by differential processing of the proglucagon gene. Released in response to the nutrient ingestion, GLP-1 plays an important role in maintaining glucose homeostasis. GLP-1 has been shown to regulate blood glucose levels by stimulating glucose-dependent insulin secretion and inhibiting glucagon secretion, gastric emptying, and food intake. These antidiabetic activities highlight GLP-1 as a potential therapeutic molecule in the clinical management of type 2 diabetes, (a disease characterized by progressive decline of beta-cell function and mass, increased insulin resistance, and final hyperglycemia). Since chronic hyperglycemia contributed to the acceleration of the formation of Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs, a heterogeneous group of compounds derived from the nonenzymatic reaction of reducing sugars with free amino groups of proteins implicated in vascular diabetic complications), the administration of GLP-1 might directly counteract diabetes pathophysiological processes (such as pancreatic β-cell dysfunction). This paper outlines evidence on the protective role of GLP-1 in preventing the deleterious effects mediated by AGEs in type 2 diabetes.