LEAP2 on Postprandial Glucose Metabolism and Food Intake n Obese Males

The study aims to delineate the effects of the naturally occurring peptide liver-enriched antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP-2) on postprandial glucose metabolism and food intake in obese volunteers. The overall objective is to investigate the physiological importance of LEAP-2 in obese subjects.

In a recent study, the molecular phenotype of enteroendocrine cells in the small intestine before and after Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) surgery in obese individuals was examined. Enteroendocrine cells were identified and isolated from intestinal biopsies and analysed for differentially expressed genes by Illumina High Throughput RNA-sequencing. It was discovered that the gene encoding liver-enriched antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP-2), a naturally occurring peptide in humans, was significantly upregulated compared to baseline expression. Interestingly, LEAP-2 was recently shown to antagonize ghrelin function in response to feeding in mice. Moreover, the mature murine LEAP-2 peptide is identical in mice and humans. Thus, LEAP-2 has been identified as an endogenous peptide that may be able to alter feeding behaviour and maintenance of glucose levels during calorie restriction. Our group recently found a 12 % relative reduction in ad libitum food intake and reduced postprandial glucose excursions. The present study hypothesis is that LEAP-2 alters postprandial glucose metabolism and decreases appetite as well as food intake in relation to a liquid mixed meal and a standardised ad libitum meal compared with saline (placebo) in obese subjects.