Assessment of gut peptide levels in patients with motility disorders
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Assessment of stimulated and unstimulated plasma concentrations of gut peptide levels in patients with a range of conditions associated with altered gastrointestinal motility.
IRAS ID
120219
Contact name
Claire Meek
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust & University of Cambridge
Research summary
The recent surge in the prevalence of obesity had sparked renewed interest in studying the enteroendocrine system – this is a network of cells in the gut wall which releases hormones such as glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) in response to food. GLP-1 acts to enhance glucose-stimulated insulin release, reduce gut motility and reduce food intake. The role of GLP-1 in the regulation of blood sugar levels and appetite has led to the development of GLP-1 related therapies for use in patients with type 2 diabetes. \n\nHowever, GLP-1 also has a role in gut motility and is known to delay gastric emptying. The significance of the role of GLP-1 and other L cell products in the regulation of gut motility in health and disease remains unclear. Studying patients with a history of surgery to various parts of the gastrointestinal tract and those with denervated gut (such as occurs during multivisceral transplantation) provides an opportunity to study this in more detail. It is also possible that altered GLP-1 secretion may be involved in the pathophysiology of common gut motility disorders, such as reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Post-prandial hypoglycaemia is a phenomenon which may be related to altered gut motility and altered GLP-1 concentrations. \n\nThe current study aims to evaluate concentrations of L cell peptides in healthy human volunteers and volunteers with a range of conditions associated with altered gastrointestinal motility. \n \n
REC name
East of England - Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/EE/0195
Date of REC Opinion
29 Aug 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion