Overview
GLP-2, or Glucagon-Like Peptide-2, is a 33-amino acid peptide that occurs naturally in the body, where it is produced by specialized cells in the intestinal lining in response to food intake. It belongs to the glucagon peptide family and is closely related to other gut-derived hormones involved in digestive physiology. The synthetic form used in research settings, sometimes referred to as GLP-2(1-33) human, mirrors the sequence of the naturally occurring human peptide and is studied to better understand intestinal biology and gut function at a cellular and physiological level. Researchers have examined GLP-2 in the context of intestinal morphology, nutrient absorption, and gut integrity, as reflected in published studies exploring its role in models of intestinal health. This peptide is intended strictly for laboratory and research use only and is not approved or intended for human consumption.
Research & Bioactivity
Researchers have studied GLP-2 (glucagon-like peptide-2) primarily in relation to intestinal biology, with a particular focus on its role in gut mucosal integrity, nutrient absorption, and gastrointestinal function. Studies conducted in animal models, including perfused rat intestine preparations, have examined how GLP-2 secretion is regulated by various physiological and pharmacological stimuli, such as prostaglandin E2, shedding light on the paracrine mechanisms that govern peptide release in the gut. Research in ruminant models, including dairy cattle and weaned lambs, has investigated the glucagon-like peptide axis in the context of metabolic adaptation, feed intake regulation, and gastrointestinal hormone interactions during critical developmental periods. In vitro and in vivo studies have also explored the downstream effects of GLP-2 signaling on intestinal morphology and epithelial function. Additionally, clinical research has examined teduglutide, a GLP-2 analogue, in the context of intestinal failure studies, with researchers observing how GLP-2 pathway modulation relates to enteral function in models of intestinal insufficiency. Collectively, these research efforts position GLP-2 as a subject of significant scientific interest in the fields of gastrointestinal physiology, metabolic endocrinology, and intestinal biology.
Published Research
Effects of Compound Yeast Culture on the Intestinal Morphology, Intestinal Function, and Microorganisms of Weaned Lambs.
Liu S, Hao P, Chen H, Li X, Xu X, et al. — 2026
Yeast culture is a safe and environmentally friendly nutritional supplement that improves the antioxidant capacity, immune function, and intestinal health of monogastric animals. This study explored the effects of compound yeast culture and yeast source on the antioxidant capacity, immune function, and intestinal microflora of weaned lambs. Eighteen weaned lambs were randomly assigned to the basal diet (NYC), basal diet supplemented with yeast source (40 g/day; DYC), and basal diet supplemented with compound yeast culture (50 g/day; GYC) groups. There where six replicates per group and one lamb per replicate. The experiment lasted 42 d. The DYC and GYC groups exhibited significantly increased villus height and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio (P < 0.05), and the DYC group had reduced crypt depth (P < 0.05); both exhibited significantly increased glucagon-like peptide-2, Insulin-like growth factor 1, and mucin 2 mRNA expression, as well as serum total anti-oxidizing capability, glutathione peroxidase, total superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities (P < 0.05). The DYC and GYC groups exhibited significantly increased acid phosphatase (ACP) activity (P < 0.05), immunoglobulin G content, secretory immunoglobulin A content, and interleukin-10, transforming growth factor beta, B-cell activating factor, A proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), Chemokine ligand 25, Inducible NO synthase, and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (plgA) mRNA expression (P < 0.05). The GYC group had significantly increased ACPcontent and APRIL and plgA mRNA expression (P < 0.05). Jejunal microbial markers in the DYC and GYC groups positively correlated with intestinal barrier-related indicators. In conclusion, the compound yeast culture and yeast source equally showed improved antioxidant capacity, immune function, and intestinal health in weaned lambs.
PERCC1-associated enteropathy: Diagnostic challenges and enteral autonomy achieved with teduglutide.
Tran A, Nguyen V, Huynh P — 2026
Congenital diarrheas and enteropathies (CODE) are rare inherited disorders characterized by early-onset intractable diarrhea. Though progress has been made in elucidating the genetic basis of CODE, much remains to be discovered. Another challenge is the lack of curative therapies-treatment is primarily supportive including enteral and parenteral nutrition, and at times, intestinal transplant. We report a 3-year-old with intractable diarrhea and failure to thrive in infancy. Whole exome sequencing revealed uniparental disomy in chromosome 16. Whole genome sequencing later identified a novel point mutation in PERCC1 (proline and glutamate-rich protein with a coiled coil domain 1), a previously unannotated reading frame flanking the regulatory sequence of the "intestine-critical region", linked to enteroendocrine cell function and congenital enteropathy. Despite interventions to ameliorate malabsorption, the patient was dependent on partial parenteral nutrition secondary to profuse osmotic diarrhea, for two consecutive years. He was weaned off parenteral nutrition after starting teduglutide.
From childhood to adulthood in chronic intestinal failure: A nationwide study.
Schubert L, Chambrier C, Billiauws L, Barraud M, Poullenot F, et al. — 2026
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Pediatric chronic intestinal failure (CIF) requires long-term home parenteral nutrition (HPN) to support growth and health. Transitioning to adult care is a critical period, and long-term outcomes remain underexplored. This nationwide study assessed long-term survival, HPN dependence, psychosocial status and characteristics of CIF management in adult patients with pediatric-onset CIF who received HPN during childhood and transition to adulthood. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter retrospective study of patients who started HPN for CIF in childhood and transitioned to adult care still receiving HPN between 1995 and 2020. Clinical characteristics and risk factors for survival and HPN dependence were analysed. RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients (46% female) transitioned at a mean age of 19.2 ± 2.6 years, after HPN began at a median age of 1 year (IQR: 0-8). CIF was caused by short bowel syndrome (60%), motility disorders (27%), and mucosal disease (13%). Management included teduglutide (13%), autologous gastrointestinal reconstruction (6%) and intestinal transplantation (5%). After a median follow-up of 8 years, survival was 91% and HPN dependence 95%. Catheter-related bloodstream infections were the leading cause of death (62%). In multivariate analysis, daily HPN requirement (HR = 5.7, 95%CI: 1.2-26.0, p= 0.03) and intestinal transplantation (HR = 5.9, 95%CI: 1.5-23.0, p= 0.01) were associated with mortality. Teduglutide was the only factor associated with reduced HPN dependence (HR = 10.0, 95%CI: 1.1-88.9, p= 0.04). At last follow-up, 58% of patients were employed or studying, 51% had left the family home, 28% were in a relationship, 20% had psychiatric comorbidities and 14% opioid dependence. CONCLUSION: Pediatric-onset CIF patients show high survival into adulthood despite persistent HPN dependence. GLP-2 analogues may reduce HPN dependence and improve long-term outcomes.
Prostaglandin E2 stimulates GLP-1 and GLP-2 secretion and reduces glucose absorption in the perfused rat small intestine.
Friis J, Modvig IM, Cookson TA, Abba V, Juhl CB, et al. — 2026
Prostaglandins are paracrine mediators derived from arachidonic acid. In the gut, they regulate mucosal integrity, epithelial function and inflammation. Glucose and possibly also prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) stimulate the release of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). As PGE2 has been reported to modulate intestinal glucose absorption, the aim of the study was to investigate the acute effect of PGE2 on GLP-1 and GLP-2 secretion as well as intestinal glucose absorption using a physiologically relevant experimental setup - the isolated perfused rat small intestine. Two protocols were employed: A) luminal glucose instillation before and during an intra-arterial infusion of PGE2 (10µmol/L). B) same as protocol A, but with the COX inhibitor indomethacin (10µmol/L) included in the perfusion buffer to block endogenous prostaglandin production. Administration of PGE2 stimulated the release of GLP-1 (2.1-fold, P=0.002) and GLP-2 (2.5-fold, P=0.002) from the perfused intestine versus vehicle. Inclusion of indomethacin in the perfusion buffer neither affected GLP-1 and GLP-2 secretion nor responses to PGE2, consistent with minimal production of prostaglandins in the non-inflamed in situ perfused intestine. We observed a decrease in glucose absorption during administration of PGE2 versus vehicle (P=0.043). In conclusion, PGE2 stimulates the secretion of GLP-1 and GLP-2, adding to its established roles in intestinal physiology. Acute administration of PGE2 significantly attenuated small intestinal glucose absorption. Our data confirms that PGE2 stimulates gut hormone release, which could be responsible for some of the effects ascribed to PGE2 and might explain the adverse effects associated with the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Nutritional Endocrinology in Dairy Cattle: Roles of the Ghrelin and Glucagon-Like Peptide Axis in Metabolic Adaptation and Developmental Programming.
Sugino T, Fukumori R, Elsabagh M, Inabu Y, Murayama K, et al. — 2026
High-producing dairy cattle experience profound metabolic transitions during the periparturient and periweaning periods that influence health and long-term productivity. In ruminants, feed intake and metabolic adaptation reflect coordinated interactions among rumen fermentation, hepatic oxidative feedback, and gastrointestinal hormones. This review summarizes evidence on ghrelin and the glucagon-like peptide (GLP) axis and organizes recent findings within a hierarchical framework linking rumen-derived substrates, intestinal nutrient sensing, and systemic endocrine responses. Ghrelin increases during negative energy balance in early lactation and appears to support metabolic mobilization, whereas its orexigenic effect is constrained by ruminant-specific intake control. Evidence also indicates that postruminal amino acid supply and fatty acid profile can modulate ghrelin secretion, highlighting the importance of the digestive site and nutrient type. The GLP axis complements this regulation. GLP-1 links postruminal nutrient-related signals with insulin dynamics and satiety, whereas GLP-2 is more closely related to intestinal growth and adaptation during developmental transitions, including weaning. Notably, improvements in intestinal development in early life do not always coincide with large or sustained changes in circulating GLP-2. Overall, viewing dairy nutrition through endocrine responses, alongside nutrient supply, provides a basis to interpret variable outcomes in transition cows and calves and refine feeding strategies across physiological stages.