GLP-2
The intestinal growth hormone whose analogues keep people off intravenous feeding
GLP-2 is released from the same gut cells as GLP-1 and makes the intestinal lining grow and absorb more. Cleaved within minutes by DPP-4, it is not a medicine, but three resistant analogues have been tested in short bowel syndrome and one is approved.
What is it?
GLP-2 comes from the same precursor and the same cells as GLP-1, and its job is the gut itself: it grows the absorptive surface, slows transit and increases blood flow to the intestine. That makes it a natural candidate for short bowel syndrome, where people depend on intravenous feeding because too little intestine remains.
The approved analogue is teduglutide. Its label carries a requirement worth knowing: before starting, adults need a colonoscopy and upper GI endoscopy with any polyps removed, because the drug grows intestinal tissue and that includes tissue nobody wants grown.
Two newer analogues have reported phase 3 results in the last two years, both reducing the need for parenteral support, which is the outcome that matters to patients on intravenous feeding.
The hormone itself appears in human research as a measurement: secretion after different meal types, during liver regeneration, and in children during cancer treatment.
At a Glance
Every value in this table is printed from the Grey Peptides dataset, the same record the compound explorer and comparison tool read, so the three can never disagree.
Educational information, not medical advice. The doses on this page come from approved labels, published studies and, where no study exists, amounts reported by users. None is a recommendation for you. An unapproved compound has no established safe or effective human dose, and products sold for “research use only” are not made or tested for people. Talk to a doctor before acting on anything on this site, including before you start, stop or change any medicine or dose. Full medical disclaimer.
Published Research
These are the studies in people, read from their PubMed abstracts: two analogue trials and three studies measuring the hormone.
A long-acting analogue cut intravenous feeding
In an international, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial, 106 patients with short bowel syndrome and intestinal failure needing parenteral support at least three days a week received glepaglutide 10 mg twice weekly, once weekly or placebo for 24 weeks. Twice-weekly dosing significantly reduced weekly parenteral support volume, with benefit on patient-reported change.
A second analogue in colon-in-continuity patients
Apraglutide was tested in short bowel syndrome with intestinal failure and colon in continuity, with significant reductions in parenteral support needs and days off support, improved intestinal absorption, and structural and functional intestinal changes. A total of 127 adverse events were reported, mostly mild to moderate.
What actually triggers its release
GLP-2 secretion after the meal was measured following carbohydrate, fat or protein loads, establishing which macronutrients drive the response.
It moves fat out of the intestine
GLP-2 acutely enhanced chylomicron secretion in people without mobilising stored lipid, one of the metabolic effects that complicates the simple account of it as a gut-growth hormone.
Measured during liver regeneration
GLP-1 and GLP-2 were measured during human liver regeneration, part of the work mapping where this hormone matters beyond the intestine.
Side Effects & Contraindications
Reported Side Effects
GLP-2 itself is given only in research. These come from the analogues.
Contraindications & Cautions
Not a medicine.
Legal Status
The hormone is not a drug; one analogue is approved and two more are in trials.
Frequently Asked Questions
?What does GLP-2 do?
It grows the absorptive lining of the intestine, slows transit and increases intestinal blood flow, which is why its analogues are used in short bowel syndrome.
?Why is the hormone itself not a drug?
DPP-4 cleaves it within minutes. The medicines are resistant analogues.
?What does the approved analogue require before treatment?
Its label calls for colonoscopy and upper GI endoscopy with removal of any polyps in adults, because the drug grows intestinal tissue.
?Is it related to GLP-1?
Closely: same precursor, same intestinal cells, released together. Their jobs differ, one acting on insulin and appetite, the other on the gut lining.
References
- [fda-pi] Gattex (teduglutide) prescribing information, sections 1 and 2 (DailyMed SPL version 20, effective September 5, 2025; read October 1, 2026).
- [pubmed] Jeppesen PB, et al. "Glepaglutide, a Long-Acting Glucagon-like Peptide-2 Analogue, Reduces Parenteral Support in Patients With Short Bowel Syndrome: A Phase 3 Randomized Controlled Trial." Gastroenterology, 2025;168(4):701-713.e6. PMID: 39708985.
- [pubmed] Verbiest A, et al. "Efficacy and safety of apraglutide in short bowel syndrome with intestinal failure and colon-in-continuity: A multicenter, open-label, metabolic balance study." Clin Nutr, 2024;43(12):158-166. PMID: 39461299.
- [pubmed] Prahm AP, et al. "Post-prandial secretion of glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) after carbohydrate-, fat- or protein enriched meals in healthy subjects." Peptides, 2023;169:171091. PMID: 37640265.
- [pubmed] Syed-Abdul MM, et al. "Glucagon-like Peptide-2 Acutely Enhances Chylomicron Secretion in Humans Without Mobilizing Cytoplasmic Lipid Droplets." J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2023;108(5):1084-1092. PMID: 36458872.
- [pubmed] Ammann M, et al. "Glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucagon-like peptide-2 regulation during human liver regeneration." Sci Rep, 2023;13(1):15980. PMID: 37749369.
- [pubmed] Drucker DJ. "Glucagon-like peptide 2." J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2001;86(4):1759-64. PMID: 11297614.
Sources & Citations
Studies were read from their PubMed abstracts on October 1, 2026; the analogue's requirements come from the Gattex label read the same day.
Medical Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, and nothing here is an instruction to obtain or use any compound. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before making health decisions.