Characterization of a novel, non-peptidyl antagonist of the human glucagon receptor.
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We have identified a series of potent, orally bioavailable, non-peptidyl, triarylimidazole and triarylpyrrole glucagon receptor antagonists. 2-(4-Pyridyl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(5-bromo-2-propyloxyphenyl)p yrr ole (L-168,049), a prototypical member of this series, inhibits binding of labeled glucagon to the human glucagon receptor with an IC50 = 3. 7 +/- 3.4 nM (n = 7) but does not inhibit binding of labeled glucagon-like peptide to the highly homologous human glucagon-like peptide receptor at concentrations up to 10 microM. The binding affinity of L-168,049 for the human glucagon receptor is decreased 24-fold by the inclusion of divalent cations (5 mM). L-168,049 increases the apparent EC50 for glucagon stimulation of adenylyl cyclase in Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing the human glucagon receptor and decreases the maximal glucagon stimulation observed, with a Kb (concentration of antagonist that shifts the agonist dose-response 2-fold) of 25 nM. These data suggest that L-168,049 is a noncompetitive antagonist of glucagon action. Inclusion of L-168, 049 increases the rate of dissociation of labeled glucagon from the receptor 4-fold, confirming that the compound is a noncompetitive glucagon antagonist. In addition, we have identified two putative transmembrane domain residues, phenylalanine 184 in transmembrane domain 2 and tyrosine 239 in transmembrane domain 3, for which substitution by alanine reduces the affinity of L-168,049 46- and 4. 5-fold, respectively. These mutations do not alter the binding of labeled glucagon, suggesting that the binding sites for glucagon and L-168,049 are distinct. (+info)
Inhibition of carbohydrate-mediated glucagon-like peptide-1 (7-36)amide secretion by circulating non-esterified fatty acids.
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Two studies were performed to assess the entero-insular axis in simple obesity and the possible effect of variations in the level of circulating non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) on one of the components of the entero-insular axis, glucagon-like peptide-1 [(7-36) amide]. In the first study, we compared the entero-pancreatic hormone response to oral carbohydrate in obese and lean women. Obese subjects demonstrated hyperinsulinaemia and impaired glucose tolerance but this was not associated with an increased secretion of either glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide or glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). These findings therefore provide no support for the hypothesis that overactivity of the entero-insular axis contributes to the hyperinsulinaemia seen in obesity. Indeed, the plasma GLP-1 response to carbohydrate was markedly attenuated in obese subjects, confirming previous observations. In the second study, in which carbohydrate-stimulated GLP-1 responses were again evaluated in obese and lean women, circulating NEFA levels were modulated using either heparin (to increase serum NEFA) or acipimox (to reduce serum NEFA). Treatment with acipimox resulted in complete suppression of NEFA levels and in a markedly higher GLP-1 response than the response to carbohydrate alone or to carbohydrate plus heparin. We suggest that higher fasting and postprandial NEFA levels in obesity may tonically inhibit nutrient-mediated GLP-1 secretion, and that this results in attenuation of the GLP-1 response to carbohydrate. However, although serum NEFA levels post-acipimox were similarly suppressed in both lean and obese subjects, the GLP-1 response was again significantly lower in obese subjects, suggesting the possibility of an intrinsic defect of GLP-1 secretion in obesity. The reduction of GLP-1 levels in obesity may be important both in relation to its insulinotropic effect and to its postulated role as a satiety factor. (+info)
Glucose-dependent stimulatory effect of glucagon-like peptide 1(7-36) amide on the electrical activity of pancreatic beta-cells recorded in vivo.
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The stimulatory effect of the glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1(7-36) amide on electrical activity in pancreatic b-cells recorded in vivo was studied. The injection of GLP-1 produces a lengthening of the active phase with respect to the silent phase, leading to a stimulation of insulin release, which produces a secondary decrease in blood glucose concentration and eventually, to the hyperpolarization of the membrane at a blood glucose level of approximately 5 mmol/l. The injection of GLP-1 at a glycemic level <5 mmol/l does not stimulate electrical activity. This is in contrast to the effect of tolbutamide, which stimulates electrical activity at low glucose concentrations. These results demonstrate that in vivo, the stimulatory effect of GLP-1 on insulin secretion is at least partially mediated by its effect on beta-cell electrical activity. Furthermore, the glucose dependence of the effect confers to GLP-1, a security factor that supports its potential use in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. (+info)
The influence of the colon on postprandial glucagon-like peptide 1 (7-36) amide concentration in man.
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Glucagon-like peptide (7-36) amide (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone of the enteroinsular axis released rapidly after meals despite the fact that GLP-1 secreting cells (L-cells) occur predominantly in the distal gut. The importance of these colonic L-cells for postprandial GLP-1 was determined in healthy control subjects and in ileostomy patients with minimal small bowel resection (<5 cm). Subjects were fed a high complex carbohydrate test meal (15.3 g starch) followed by two carbohydrate-free, high fat test meals (25 g and 48.7 g fat respectively). Circulating levels of glucose, insulin, glucagon, glucose insulinotrophic peptide (GIP) and GLP-1 were measured over a 9-h postprandial period. For both subject groups the complex carbohydrate test meal failed to elicit a rise in either GIP or GLP-1. However, both hormones were elevated after the fat load although the GLP-1 concentration was significantly reduced in the ileostomist group when compared with controls (P=0.02). Associated with this reduction in circulating GLP-1 was an elevation in glucagon concentration (P=0.012) and a secondary rise in the plasma glucose concentration (P=0.006). These results suggest that the loss of colonic endocrine tissue is an important determinant in the postprandial GLP-1 concentration. Ileostomists should not be assumed to have normal enteroinsular function as the colon appears to have an important role in postprandial metabolism. (+info)
Miniglucagon (glucagon 19-29), a potent and efficient inhibitor of secretagogue-induced insulin release through a Ca2+ pathway.
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Using the MIN6 B-cell line, we investigated the hypothesis that miniglucagon, the C-terminal () fragment processed from glucagon and present in pancreatic A cells, modulates insulin release, and we analyzed its cellular mode of action. We show that, at concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 1000 pM, miniglucagon dose-dependently (ID50 = 1 pM) inhibited by 80-100% the insulin release triggered by glucose, glucagon, glucagon-like peptide-1-(7-36) amide (tGLP-1), or glibenclamide, but not that induced by carbachol. Miniglucagon had no significant effects on cellular cAMP levels. The increase in 45Ca2+ uptake induced by depolarizing agents (glucose or extracellular K+), by glucagon, or by the Ca2+channel agonist Bay K-8644 was blocked by miniglucagon at the doses active on insulin release. Electrophysiological experiments indicated that miniglucagon induces membrane hyperpolarization, probably by opening potassium channels, which terminated glucose-induced electrical activity. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin abolished the effects of miniglucagon on insulin release. It is concluded that miniglucagon is a highly potent and efficient inhibitor of insulin release by closing, via hyperpolarization, voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels linked to a pathway involving a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein. (+info)
Gastrointestinal responses to a panel of lectins in rats maintained on total parenteral nutrition.
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Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) causes atrophy of gastrointestinal epithelia, so we asked whether lectins that stimulate epithelial proliferation can reverse this effect of TPN. Two lectins stimulate pancreatic proliferation by releasing CCK, so we asked whether lectins that stimulate gastrointestinal proliferation also release hormones that might mediate their effects. Six rats per group received continuous infusion of TPN and a once daily bolus dose of purified lectin (25 mg. rat-1. day-1) or vehicle alone (control group) for 4 days via an intragastric cannula. Proliferation rates were estimated by metaphase arrest, and hormones were measured by RIAs. Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) increased proliferation by 90% in the gastric fundus (P < 0.05), doubled proliferation in the small intestine (P < 0.001), and had a small effect in the midcolon (P < 0.05). Peanut agglutinin (PNA) had a minor trophic effect in the proximal small intestine (P < 0.05) and increased proliferation by 166% in the proximal colon (P < 0.001) and by 40% in the midcolon (P < 0.001). PNA elevated circulating gastrin and CCK by 97 (P < 0.05) and 81% (P < 0.01), respectively, and PHA elevated plasma enteroglucagon by 69% and CCK by 60% (both P < 0.05). Only wheat germ agglutinin increased the release of glucagon-like peptide-1 by 100% (P < 0.05). PHA and PNA consistently reverse the fall in gastrointestinal and pancreatic growth associated with TPN in rats. Both lectins stimulated the release of specific hormones that may have been responsible for the trophic effects. It is suggested that lectins could be used to prevent gastrointestinal atrophy during TPN. Their hormone-releasing effects might be involved. (+info)
Differential effects of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids on postprandial lipemia and incretin responses in healthy subjects.
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BACKGROUND: Elevations of postprandial triacylglycerol-rich plasma lipoproteins and suppressions of HDL-cholesterol concentrations are considered potentially atherogenic. Long-term studies have shown beneficial effects of monounsaturated fatty acids (eg, oleic acid) on fasting lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in humans. A direct stimulatory effect of oleic acid on the secretion of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) was shown in animal studies. OBJECTIVE: We compared the postprandial responses of glucose, insulin, fatty acids, triacylglycerol, gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), and GLP-1 to test meals rich in saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. DESIGN: Ten young, lean, healthy persons ingested 3 meals: an energy-free soup consumed with 50 g carbohydrate (control meal), the control meal plus 100 g butter, and the control meal plus 80 g olive oil. Triacylglycerol and retinyl palmitate responses were measured in total plasma, in a chylomicron-rich fraction, and in a chylomicron-poor fraction. RESULTS: No significant differences in glucose, insulin, or fatty acid responses to the 2 fat-rich meals were seen. Plasma triacylglycerol responses were highest after the butter meal, with chylomicron triacylglycerol rising 2.5-5-fold. Retinyl palmitate responses were higher and more prolonged after the butter meal than after the control and olive oil meals, whereas both postprandial HDL-cholesterol concentrations and GLP-1 and GIP responses were higher after the olive oil meal than after the butter meal. CONCLUSIONS: Olive oil induced lower triacylglycerol concentrations and higher HDL-cholesterol concentrations than butter, without eliciting differences in concentrations of glucose, insulin, or fatty acids. Furthermore, olive oil induced higher concentrations of GLP-1 and GIP than did butter, which may point to a relation between fatty acid composition, incretin responses, and triacylglycerol metabolism in the postprandial phase. (+info)
Effect of GIP and GLP-1 antagonists on insulin release in the rat.
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Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) are potent insulinotropic peptides released from the small intestine. To examine their relative contribution to postprandial insulin release, a specific GIP antagonist (ANTGIP) and a GLP-1 antagonist, exendin-(9-39)-NH2, were infused into rats after an intragastric glucose meal. In control rats, plasma glucose and insulin levels rose gradually during the first 20 min and then decreased. Exendin-(9-39)-NH2 administration inhibited postprandial insulin secretion by 32% at 20 min and concomitantly increased plasma glucose concentrations. In contrast, ANTGIP treatment not only induced a 54% decrease in insulin secretion but also a 15% reduction in plasma glucose levels 20 min after the glucose meal. In vivo studies in rats demonstrated that glucose uptake in the upper small intestine was significantly inhibited by the ANTGIP, an effect that might account for the decrease in plasma glucose levels observed in ANTGIP-treated rats. When the two antagonists were administered to rats concomitantly, no potentiating effect on either insulin release or plasma glucose concentration was detected. Glucose meal-stimulated GLP-1 release was not affected by ANTGIP administration, whereas postprandial glucagon levels were diminished in rats receiving exendin-(9-39)-NH2. The results of these studies suggest that GIP and GLP-1 may share a common mechanism in stimulating pancreatic insulin release. Furthermore, the GIP receptor appears to play a role in facilitating glucose uptake in the small intestine. (+info)