Tohru Hira

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is released from enteroendocrine cells (L cells) in response to food ingestion. The mechanism by which dietary peptides stimulate GLP-1 secretion in the gut is unknown. In the present study, we found that a hydrolysate prepared from zein, a major corn protein [zein hydrolysate (ZeinH)], strongly stimulates GLP-1 secretion in enteroendocrine GLUTag cells. Stimulatory mechanisms of GLP-1 secretion induced by ZeinH were investigated in the rat small intestine under a

Intraluminal L-phenylalanine (Phe) stimulates cholecystokinin (CCK) secretion in vivo and in vitro. However, the cellular mechanism by which CCK-producing enteroendocrine cells sense Phe is unknown. The calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) can sense amino acids, and is expressed in the gastrointestinal tract. In the present study, we examined whether CaR functions as a receptor for Phe in CCK-producing enteroendocrine cells. CCK secretion and intracellular Ca2+ concentration in response to Phe were me

Rice has historically been consumed in Asia as a major source of carbohydrates, however, little is known regarding the functional roles of rice proteins as dietary factors. In the present study, we investigated whether peptides derived from rice proteins could stimulate GLP-1 secretion, which results in reducing glycemia via the incretin effect in normal rats. Hydrolysates were prepared from the protein fraction of rice endosperm or rice bran, and the effects of these hydrolysates on GLP-1 secre

We have previously demonstrated that ileal administration of the dietary protein hydrolysate prepared from corn zein (ZeinH) stimulated glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion and attenuated hyperglycemia in rats. In this study, to examine whether oral administration of ZeinH improves glucose tolerance by stimulating GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) secretion, glucose tolerance tests were performed in normal Sprague-Dawley male rats and diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK) m

These results demonstrate that CaSR plays a significant role in sensing various dietary peptides in triggering CCK secretion in enteroendocrine cells.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is secreted by distal enteroendocrine cells in response to luminal nutrients, and exerts insulinotropic and anorexigenic effects. Although GLP-1 secretory responses under established obese or diabetic conditions have been studied, it has not been investigated whether or how postprandial GLP-1 responses were affected during the progression of diet-induced obesity. In the present study, a meal tolerance test was performed every week in rats fed a high-fat and high-s

The calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) is expressed in various tissues, including the gastrointestinal tract. To investigate the role of gut CaSR on glycemic control, we examined whether single oral administration of CaSR agonist peptides affected the glycemic response in rats. Glucose tolerance tests were performed under oral or duodenal administration of various CaSR agonist peptides (γGlu-Cys, protamine, and poly-d-lysine hydrobromide) in conscious rats. Involvement of CaSR was determined by usi

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which is produced and released from enteroendocrine L cells, plays pivotal roles in postprandial glycaemia. The ingestion of resistant maltodextrin (RMD), a water-soluble non-digestible saccharide, improves the glycaemic response. In the present study, we examined whether the continuous feeding of RMD to rats affected GLP-1 levels and glycaemic control. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (6 weeks of age) were fed an American Institute of Nutrition (AIN)-93G-based diet cont

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a gastrointestinal hormone released from enteroendocrine L cells in response to meal ingestion. GLP-1 receptor agonists and GLP-1 enhancers have been clinically employed to treat diabetes owing to their glucose-dependent insulin-releasing activity. The release of GLP-1 is primarily stimulated by macronutrients such as glucose and fatty acids, which are nutritionally indispensable; however, excessive intake of sugar and fat is responsible for the development of

Unsaturated Alds are potent aliphatic stimulants for CCK secretion through the activation of TRPA1.

These results reveal a novel fatty acid-sensing mechanism in enteroendocrine cells.