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. 2012 Jul;70(1):39-48.
doi: 10.1007/s00280-012-1882-2. Epub 2012 May 22.

Exogenous glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) prevents chemotherapy-induced mucositis in rat small intestine

Hannelouise Kissow  1 , Niels-Erik Viby, Bolette Hartmann, Jens Juul Holst, Michael Timm, Lars Thim, Steen Seier Poulsen
Affiliations

Exogenous glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) prevents chemotherapy-induced mucositis in rat small intestine

Hannelouise Kissow et al. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2012 Jul.

Abstract

Purpose: Gastrointestinal mucositis is an unwanted and often dose-limiting side effect to most cancer treatments. Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) is a peptide secreted from intestinal L-cells in response to nutrient intake. The peptide is involved in the regulation of apoptosis and proliferation in the intestine. We aimed to investigate the role of GLP-2 in experimental chemotherapy-induced mucositis. METHODS STUDY 1: Rats were given a single injection with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and killed in groups of five each day for 5 days. Blood samples were analysed for GLP-2 concentrations. The intestine was analysed for weight loss, morphometric estimates and proliferation. STUDY 2: Rats were treated with GLP-2 or control vehicle 2 days before a single injection of 5-FU or saline. The treatments continued until kill 2 days after. The intestine was investigated for influx of myeloperoxidase (MPO)-positive cells and morphometric estimates, such as villus height, as a marker of mucositis. RESULTS STUDY 1: Two days after chemotherapy, there was a rise in endogenous GLP-2, followed by a marked increase in proliferation. STUDY 2: Exogenous GLP-2 was able to protect the intestine from severe weight loss and completely prevented the reduction in villus height in the control rats. Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in influx of MPO-positive cells in the GLP-2-treated rats.

Conclusion: GLP-2 is secreted from the intestine in response to intestinal injury, probably explaining the compensatory hyperproliferation after chemotherapy. Exogenous GLP-2 can protect the mucosa from chemotherapy-induced mucositis in rats.

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