Glucagon-like peptide-2 mobilization of intestinal lipid does not require canonical enterocyte chylomicron synthetic machinery.

Background & Aims: Dietary triglycerides (TG) retained in the intestine after a meal can be mobilized many hours later by glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) in humans and animal models, despite the well-documented absence of expression of the GLP-2 receptor on enterocytes. In this study, we examined the site of GLP-2 action to mobilize intestinal lipids and enhance chylomicron production.

Methods: In mesenteric lymph duct-cannulated rats, we assessed GLP-2-stimulated lymph flow rate, TG concentration, TG output, and apoB48 abundance 5 h after an intraduodenal lipid bolus, in the presence of a validated GLP-2 antagonist or vehicle. Additionally, the same GLP-2-stimulated parameters were examined in the presence or absence of cis-Golgi disruption by Brefeldin A (BFA).

Results: Compared to placebo, GLP-2 administration increased lymph flow by 2.8-fold (P < 0.001), cumulative lymph volume by 2.69-fold (P < 0.001) and total TG output 2-fold (P = 0.015). GLP-2 receptor antagonism markedly diminished GLP-2's ability to stimulate lymph flow, cumulative lymph volume and total TG output, demonstrating the dependence of GLP-2 stimulation of lymph flow and TG output on its receptor activation. In contrast, disruption of the cis-Golgi apparatus with Brefeldin A did not diminish the GLP-2-response of lymph flow i.e., increased lymph flow by 2.7-fold (P = 0.001), lymph volume by 2.9-fold (P = 0.001), and total TG output i.e., increased by 2.5-fold (P = 0.003).

Conclusions: GLP-2 mobilizes enteral lipid at a site distal to the Golgi, acting via its receptor. Since GLP-2 receptors are not expressed on enterocytes, GLP-2 likely mobilizes intestinal lipid residing extracellularly, either in the lamina propria or in the lymphatics.