GLP-2 (Teduglutide)

Teduglutide is a 33-amino acid analog of human glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) with a single amino acid substitution (alanine to glycine at position 2) that dramatically extends its plasma half-life by conferring resistance to DPP-4 enzymatic degradation. This modification enabled development of a practical therapeutic agent from an otherwise rapidly cleared endogenous peptide.

GLP-2 is an intestinotrophic hormone released from enteroendocrine L-cells in response to nutrient intake. It promotes intestinal mucosal growth, increases villus height and crypt depth, enhances nutrient absorption capacity, and improves intestinal barrier function through GLP-2 receptor activation on subepithelial myofibroblasts.

Teduglutide received FDA approval for short bowel syndrome (SBS), a condition resulting from surgical resection of significant portions of the small intestine. By stimulating intestinal adaptation, teduglutide can reduce or eliminate patients' dependence on parenteral nutrition, dramatically improving quality of life.

Research applications extend beyond SBS to include inflammatory bowel disease, chemotherapy-induced mucositis, and other conditions involving intestinal injury or malabsorption. The compound provides a tool for investigating GLP-2 receptor biology and the mechanisms of intestinal adaptation and repair.