Endocrine Abstracts

Neurotensin is widely expressed in the brain and gastrointestinal tract. Centrally, neurotensin acts as a neuropeptide to suppress appetite, induce hypothermia and modulate analgesia. Peripherally, neurotensin inhibits gastric emptying and is reported to aid lipid absorption. There is also evidence that neurotensin can influence glucose homeostasis, though this role is contentious. We have found that neurotensin acutely improves insulin release and glucose tolerance in mice, a...

The regulation of insulin and glucagon secretion has traditionally been attributed to the gut-brain axis and direct sensing of blood glucose levels by pancreatic islets. However, the enteric nervous system may directly modulate pancreatic hormone release. This study focuses on a specific population of enteric neurons that exhibit the capability to transmit signals from the gut to the pancreas, potentially revealing new pathways of metabolic regulation. The gastrointestinal tra...

Neurotensin is expressed throughout the gastrointestinal tract and acts as a gut hormone. Recent work has established neurotensin modulates lipid absorption at the gastrointestinal lumen, but its role in the control of glucose homeostasis remains unclear. Neurotensin acts via three receptors, including the NtsR1 and is endogenously released following the ingestion of olive oil. Previous work in our group has identified that neurotensin acutely improves glucose tolerance in bot...

High protein diets are hypothesised to improve glucose tolerance by modulating the secretion of gastroenteropancreatic hormones via amino-acid sensing. Glucagon, traditionally associated with hyperglycaemia, has beneficial effects on glucose homeostasis, potentially due to its role as an insulin secretagogue via intra-islet signalling and as a regulator of pulsatile insulin secretion. The calcium sensing receptor (CaSR), known for its role in calcium homeostasis, also function...