Gastric relaxation induced by glucagon-like peptide-2 in mice fed a high-fat diet or fasted

Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) is a nutrient-responsive gut hormone that increases the intestinal absorption. Exogenous GLP-2 also induces gastric fundus relaxation with possible implications for emptying rate or feeling of satiety. GLP-2 actions are mediated by GLP-2 receptor (GLP-2R), located on enteric neurons and myofibroblasts in murine gastrointestinal tract. Because it is not known whether changes in the endogenous GLP-2R levels occur in different nutritional states, we examined the GLP-2R gene and protein expression in gastric fundus from standard diet (STD)-fed, 12-h and 24-h fasted and re-fed, or high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice and we analyzed the mechanical responses to exogenous GLP-2 in the stomach from different groups of animals. GLP-2 expression was examined using real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. The gastric mechanical activity from whole-organ was recorded in vitro as changes of intraluminal pressure. GLP-2R expression in fundic region from 12-h or 24-h fasted mice was reduced in comparison with STD-fed animals and returned to control values in re-fed mice, while it was increased in HFD-fed mice. The exogenous GLP-2 efficacy in inducing gastric relaxation, normalized to isoproterenol response, was decreased in stomach from fasted mice and it was increased in stomach from HFD-fed mice in comparison with STD-fed mice. In conclusion, the nutritional state influences GLP-2R expression in murine gastric preparations. The changes in the GLP-2R expression are associated with modifications of GLP-2 gastric relaxant efficacy. This could represent an adaptive response to reduced or increased nutrient intake.