Clinical significance of GLP-2 in short-bowel syndrome

Although long-term parenteral nutrition is lifesaving in patients with intestinal failure, it is expensive, severely impairs the quality of life in the short-bowel patients and is associated with serious complications such as catheter sepsis, venous occlusions and liver disease. Therefore, treatments that aim to minimize intestinal absorption, thereby eliminating or minimizing the need for parenteral support, are needed. As a result, glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) has received attention. In this review, the nature of short-bowel syndrome is described and the antisecretory, transit modulating and intestinotrophic effects of GLP-2 are presented. As illustrated in a pilot study, GLP-2 may prove to be important in the attempt to optimize remnant intestinal function thereby eliminating the need for parenteral support and improving quality of life in short-bowel patients with intestinal failure.