ABSTRACT
There are more than two dozens of peptide hormones that are produced and released from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Among them, the incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) has received the most intensive attention for the past 30 years. Functional studies on GLP-1 and anoth?er gut incretin hormone glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) have led to the development of novel diabetes therapeutic agents known as GLP-1 receptor agonists and DPP-Ⅵinhibitors. Instead of forming endocrine glands, the gut hormone producing endocrine cells are widely spread throughout the entire GI tract, permitting vital interactions with the″external″environment. Here a brief introduction on GLP-1 and how nutritional components regulate its secretion were made, followed by reviewing some key development on how gut environment affects the production and secretion of GLP-1, including the contribution of gut microbiota.