Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UNIPROT:P01275 (glucagon)
 26,492 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Previous studies have shown that patients with chronic alcohol ingestion may show a variety of morphological and functional alterations in the small intestine. In this study, we have focused on the neuroendocrine system in the duodenal mucosa in chronic alcoholics; an area little studied. Twenty-three defined chronic alcoholics admitted to the hospital for detoxification underwent clinical examination, followed by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and blood tests on average 4 days after the most recent alcohol intake. Biopsy specimens were taken from the distal part of the descending duodenum for both immunohistochemical and routine histological examination. The control group consisted of 25 patients referred for upper endoscopy mainly because of dyspepsia (ulcer, reflux type), but who were otherwise healthy. A normal carbohydrate-deficient transferrin and a history of low alcohol consumption (<40 g/week) were required for inclusion in the control group. The tissue specimens were studied using antisera for the following neuropeptides: cholecystokinin, galanin, gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP), glucagon, motilin, neuropeptide Y, pituitary adenylyl cyclase activating peptide, secretin, serotonin, somatostatin, substance P, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and protein gene product, as a general marker for neurones and cells of the diffuse neuroendocrine system. The density of nerve fibres was evaluated semi-quantitatively and the number of endocrine cells per unit length of mucosa was counted in sections cut perpendicularly to the mucosal surface. All the different peptidergic nerve fibres in the alcohol group showed higher densities than the corresponding controls. However, this was not a statistically significant difference. A slightly significant increase (P = 0.02) in the numbers of glucagon and GIP cells was seen in the alcohol group. Gastrointestinal symptoms were frequently present (87%) in chronic alcoholics. We suggest that chronic alcohol consumption in man may have a general effect on the peptidergic nerve system and some endocrine cell types in the duodenal mucosa.
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PMID:Neuropeptides in the duodenal mucosa of chronic alcoholic heavy drinkers. 1137 57

Established therapies for type-2 diabetes effectively reduce blood glucose, but are often associated with adverse effects that pose risks to patient's health or diminish adherence to treatment. Weight gain, hypoglycaemia and gastrointestinal symptoms are commonly reported and some agents may not be safe for use in patients with renal impairment or elevated cardiovascular risk. New treatments based on the action of the endogenous human hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), including exenatide and liraglutide, are available. These therapies provide a novel pharmacological approach to glycaemic control via multiple mechanisms of action, and accordingly exhibit different safety and tolerability profiles than conventional treatments. GLP-1 receptor agonists stimulate insulin release only in the presence of elevated blood glucose and are therefore associated with a fairly low risk of hypoglycaemia. Gastrointestinal symptoms are common but transient, and there appears to be little potential for interaction with other drugs. GLP-1 receptor agonists are associated with weight loss rather than weight gain. As protein-based therapies, these agents have the potential to induce antibody formation, but the impact on efficacy and safety is minor. GLP-1 receptor agonists thus offer a new and potentially useful option for clinicians concerned about some of the common adverse effects of type-2 diabetes therapies.
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PMID:The safety and tolerability of GLP-1 receptor agonists in the treatment of type-2 diabetes. 2071 48