Proglucagon-derived peptides: Mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential

Glucagon is used for the treatment of hypoglycemia, and glucagon receptor antagonists are under development for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Moreover, glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 and GLP-2 receptor agonists appear to be promising therapies for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and intestinal disorders, respectively. This review discusses the physiological, pharmacological, and therapeutic actions of the proglucagon-derived peptides, with an emphasis on clinical relevance of the pepticles for the treatment of human disease.