Does GLP-2 infusion reduce colon injury and improve protein nutritional status of piglets with colitis?

Glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) is a gastrointestinal hormone with strong trophic effects in small intestinal mucosa. Our goal was to assess the therapeutic potential of hGLP-2 infusion in a piglet colitis model. Twenty female piglets were randomized into 2 groups: hGLP-2 (GLP-2(1-33) 10 nmol/kg in 0.1% human albumin infused iv from d3-d10) and Control (0.1% albumin). Both groups received a macronutrient-restricted diet (50% of requirement - NRC) by gastrostomy, and dextran sulfate twice daily (0.75 g/(kg.d) from d3-d10) to induce colitis. Body composition was measured by Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry at beginning and end of the study. The stable isotope tracer L-[ring-2H5]phenylalanine was infused for 6h on d10 to determine protein synthesis. hGLP-2 infusion increased total GLP-2 in plasma. Histological assessment showed no change in inflammation or tissue repair scores in either spiral or distal colon. Fractional protein synthesis (FSR) of colon and liver proteins was not affected. Similarly, there were no differences in either FSR of the total plasma protein pool, or concentrations of total plasma proteins, albumin or fibrinogen. Growth, body weight gain and body composition were also not different. In conclusion, hGLP-2 infusion at this dose did not attenuate colonic damage and had no effect on protein synthesis or nutritional status in growing piglets with colitis.