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What are the Gastrointestinal Hormones?

By Solomon Branch
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 17,928
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Gastrointestinal hormones, commonly referred to as gut hormones, are a group of hormones secreted by specific cells located primarily in the stomach and small intestine. The hormones control a number of different functions of the digestive organs. Cells that secrete the hormones, called enteroendocrine cells or endocrinocytes, are scattered throughout the digestive system. There have been over 24 types of gastrointestinal hormones identified.

All of the gastrointestinal hormones are peptides, which are chains of amino acids and very similar to proteins. These hormones function in several different ways. They travel through the blood stream to affect the digestive system, including the digestive tube, liver, pancreas, and the brain. They also affect the cells that produce them by interacting with those cell receptor sites. Gastrointestinal hormones can also be secreted into the tissue surrounding them or into nearby cells to produce a reaction.

There are six gastrointestinal hormones that are generally recognized as the primary hormones. They include hormones from the secretin, Gastrin-cholecystokinin, and motilin families. Hormones are grouped together based on their chemical structure, and often perform similar functions.

Secretin and gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP) are part of the secretin family, and is produced as a result of acidic pH in the small intestine. It stimulates secretion of water and bicarbonate in the pancreas and the bile ducts. GIP responds to elevated blood glucose levels in the small intestine, and it inhibits the motility of the small intestine. It also stimulates the beta cells in the pancreas to release insulin.

Ghrelin and motilin are part of the motilin family. It is unclear what stimulates them to be secreted, but they are associated with certain physiological states. Ghrelin seems to be a stimulant of appetite and feeding, as its secretion peaks right before feeding and drops once there is gastric filling. It also strongly stimulates growth hormone secretion. Motilin seems to be associated with fasting, and it also seems to help keep motility of the stomach and small intestine.

The gastrin-cholecystokinin family includes gastrin and cholecystokinin. Gastrin is secreted in the presence of amino acids and peptides in the gastric cavity, stimulates the growth of the epithelium in the gastric tube, and also stimulates gastric acid secretion. Cholecystokinin responds to fatty acids and peptides in the small intestine, and it stimulates the gallbladder to contract and empty in response. It also stimulates the pancreas to secrete enzymes that break down the peptides and fatty acids.

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Discussion Comments
By burcidi — On Mar 16, 2012

@turkay1, @fify-- It's amazing to me how influential these gut hormones are! Who would have thought that they can affect so many things, even how our brain functions!

I had no idea about the uses of gut hormones for diabetes and obesity. But I did learn in school that it's important for brain function and learning. Our teacher told us that a hormone that is produces in our gut helps us learn. And that's why we shouldn't overeat. When we eat healthy and balanced, we learn better and faster.

I think that's really cool. Everyday I learn a little more about how complex our body is and how everything is connected to one another.

By fify — On Mar 15, 2012

@turkay1-- I think I read the same article or a similar one. It also mentioned another hormone though. They were talking about a combination of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide) and PYY (peptide YY) being used for weight loss.

I even have a friend who uses a gastric hormone treatment similar to this. She carries around these hormones in powder form, and sprinkles it on her food before she eats. GLP-1 and PYY are the hormones our gut and intestine releases when we eat. It tells us we're full, so that we don't go on eating forever.

I don't have diabetes but I would like to try this for weight loss.

Has anyone else received a gastrointestinal hormone treatment? What did you receive it for and what was your experience? I would love to hear more about this.

By candyquilt — On Mar 15, 2012

I read in the paper yesterday about research that was done on a gut hormone called GLP-1 and its effects on type 2 diabetes and obesity. The article said that this hormone helps balance blood glucose levels and suppresses hunger. Apparently, some doctors have started treating their patients with diabetes and obesity with this hormone.

This sounds really interesting. I have type 2 diabetes, it's genetic, everyone in my family has it. So I'm really interested in learning about new treatments and ways to prevent diabetes. I have heard of studies involving the kidney that aim to prevent diabetes in newborn children. But it looks like it will be a long time before they get results.

This gut-intestinal hormone treatment seems like a fast, effective and safe alternative treatment. I don't know if it would work for me or not, but I think it's worth trying.

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