Educational Forum-Glucagon like peptide-1: A new therapeutic target for diabetes mellitus

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an endogenous peptide secreted from the gut in response to the presence of food. GLP-1 and its longer acting analog exendin-4 have multiple synergistic effects on glucose dependent, insulin secretion pathways of the pancreatic β-cell and on plasticity in neuronal cells. Recently the development of these peptides as a novel therapeutic strategy for non-insulin-dependent (type 2) diabetes mellitus and associated neuropathy has been the focus of much interest. Here we describe the biological actions of GLP-1 and its related analogs.