There is no author summary for this article yet. Authors can add summaries to their articles on ScienceOpen to make them more accessible to a non-specialist audience.
Abstract
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a gastrointestinal hormone mainly released from
the distal ileum, jejunum, and colon in response to food ingestion. It is categorized
as an incretin due to its activation of GLP-1 receptors in pancreatic beta-cells leading
to insulin exocytosis in a glucose-dependent manner. Exenatide (synthetic exendin-4)
is a subcutaneously injected GLP-1 receptor agonist that shares 50% homology with
GLP-1. It is derived from lizard venom and stimulates the GLP-1 receptor for prolonged
periods. The present review aims to enumerate exenatide-instigated weight loss, summarize
the known mechanisms of exenatide-induced weight loss, and elaborate on its possible
application in the pharmacotherapy of obesity.
A search through PubMed was performed using exenatide and weight loss as search terms.
A second search was performed using exenatide and mechanisms or actions as search
terms.
In addition to exenatide's action to increase insulin secretion in individuals with
elevated levels of plasma glucose, clinical trials have reported consistent weight
loss associated with exenatide treatment. Studies have found evidence that exenatide
decreases energy intake and increases energy expenditure, but findings on which predominates
to cause weight loss are often inconsistent and controversial.
Further research on the effects of exenatide treatment on energy intake and expenditure
are recommended to better understand the mechanisms through which exenatide causes
weight loss.
Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.