GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1)

GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a 30-amino-acid peptide hormone formed by processing of the proglucagon gene product in L cells of the intestinal epithelium, and it is released in response to food intake. ^[1] It is one of the incretin hormones (Incretin).

Why is it so short-lived?

According to Holst’s review, GLP-1 is broken down very quickly by the DPP-4 enzyme; the hormone can be inactivated even before it leaves the gut. ^[1] In type 2 diabetes, the short half-life of native GLP-1 limited its use in treatment; various approaches to extend the half-life were developed afterward. One of them is albumin binding: this approach was used in developing once-daily liraglutide and, later, semaglutide. ^[2]

Which drugs?

The SmPC (Turkish KÜB) of a licensed semaglutide product gives its pharmacotherapeutic group as “Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogues”; conditions of use and detailed information are stated in the SmPC. ^[3] Dose, indication, and safety information appear only in the product information of licensed products (SmPC).

Limits

GLP-1 is the name of a hormone; a claim that a drug or supplement “increases” GLP-1 cannot be interpreted unless it is stated in what form, in which tissue, and with which health outcome it was measured. For the function of the hormone, the drug class, and food or supplement claims, the guides What is GLP-1? and GLP-1 agonists can be read, and for the concept of half-life, the entry Half-life.