Effects of treatment with glucagon-like peptide-2 on bone resorption in colectomized patients with distal ileostomy or jejunostomy and short-bowel syndrome

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OBJECTIVE: The gut hormone GLP-2 (glucagon-like peptide-2) seems to be involved in the circadian pattern of bone resorption, whereas parathyroid hormone (PTH) is an established key hormone in bone turnover. Endogenous GLP-2 secretion is lacking in colectomized patients with short-bowel syndrome (SBS) and they have reduced bone mineral density (BMD). The aim of the study was to investigate the anti-resorptive effect (assessed by s-CTX) of 14 days of GLP-2 treatment in these patients and to determine whether 56 days of treatment would improve BMD. PTH secretion in response to GLP-2 was also investigated in colectomized SBS patients and colectomized controls (with ileostomy).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eight SBS patients and 13 patients with ileostomy were treated with subcutaneous injections of 1600 microg GLP-2 at bedtime for 56 and 14 consecutive days, respectively. BMD was determined at days 1 and 56 in SBS patients. On days 1 and 14, measurements of CTX, P1NP and PTH were taken 4 h after the GLP-2 injection.

RESULTS: Patients with ileostomy showed a significant reduction in bone resorption after GLP-2 injections at days 1 and 14. In contrast, there was no change in s-CTX after 1 and 14 days in the SBS patients, and after 56 days of GLP-2 treatment there was no improvement in BMD. A significant reduction in PTH secretion in response to GLP-2 was observed only in patients with ileostomy.

CONCLUSIONS: The decreased bone resorption in response to GLP-2 injections cannot be elicited in SBS patients and therefore precludes treatment of their osteopenia with GLP-2. The anti-resorptive response to GLP-2 seems to require an intact small intestine and may involve suppression of PTH secretion.

Original languageEnglish
JournalScandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology
Volume43
Issue number11
Pages (from-to)1304-10
Number of pages7
ISSN0036-5521
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008

    Research areas

  • Adult, Body Mass Index, Bone Density, Bone Density Conservation Agents, Bone Resorption, Circadian Rhythm, Colectomy, Female, Glucagon-Like Peptide 2, Humans, Ileostomy, Injections, Subcutaneous, Jejunostomy, Male, Middle Aged, Parathyroid Hormone, Short Bowel Syndrome, Treatment Outcome

ID: 132048884