Regulatory peptides
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Regulatory peptides · Aug 2011
GLP-1-derived nonapeptide GLP-1(28-36)amide inhibits weight gain and attenuates diabetes and hepatic steatosis in diet-induced obese mice.
The metabolic syndrome is an obesity-associated disease manifested as severe insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, hepatic steatosis, and diabetes. Previously we proposed that a nonapeptide, FIAWLVKGRamide, GLP-1(28-36)amide, derived from the gluco-incretin hormone, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), might have insulin-like actions. Recently, we reported that the nonapeptide appears to enter hepatocytes, target to mitochondria, and suppress glucose production and reactive oxygen species. Therefore, the effects of GLP-1(28-36)amide were examined in diet-induced obese, insulin-resistant mice as a model for the development of human metabolic syndrome. ⋯ GLP-1(28-36)amide exerts insulin-like actions selectively in conditions of obesity and insulin resistance. The peptide curtails weight gain in diet-induced obese mice in the face of an increase in energy intake suggesting increased energy expenditure. These findings suggest utility of GLP-1(28-36)amide, or a peptide mimetic derived there from, for the treatment of insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome.