GLP-1 Agonists and Satiety

Glucagon-like peptide - 1 (GLP-1, 7-36 amide) is an intestinal hormone that is released in response to the luminal presences of nutrients. GLP-1 and related mimetic drugs are potent stimulators of pancreatic insulin, a response that is beneficial for the management of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Additional investigations have revealed that GLP-1 is an endocrine mediator of the ileal brake and has direct effects on the neural controls of food intake. The overall mechanism of GLP-1 induced food intake suppression is mediated by distinct, but overlapping, peripheral and central systems. GLP-1 is also expressed in the brain and roles for central GLP-1 in feeding control have been proposed. This review will focus on meal-related GLP-1 release, receptor function, synthetic agonists, and peripheral and central mechanism involved in GLP-1 induced inhibition of food intake.