The role of glp-1 and gut hormones in the anti-diabetic effects of gastro-intestinal tract manipulations

Abstract

This research work explores how gastrointestinal tract anatomical modifications impact on the physiological responses responsible for energy homeostasis, by altering gastrointestinal hormone profiles and glucose metabolism regulation. One of the key underlying mechanisms for these phenomena relies on the modulation of glucagon-like peptide-1 response, with the ability to increase of both basal and peak post-prandial hormone circulating levels. The data herein presented also reinforces the knowledge that glucagon-like peptide-1 has several effects on the central nervous system and pancreas that seem to be partially dependent on the vagal pathway integrity. Overall, the results presented in this work add knowledge on gut hormone physiology, giving scientific support to the perspective of patient centred tailoring of bariatric surgical procedures, namely Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, towards further improvements in clinical outcomes of obese diabetic patients, through the achievement of greater rates of long-term weight loss and metabolic syndrome and diabetes improvement or remission.