Study of Circulating Levels of Glicentin

Overview

Hormones derived from proglucagon represent a family of peptides produced by the alpha cells of the pancreas and by the intestinal L cells. In the pancreas, the maturation of proglucagon mainly leads to the synthesis of glucagon, while in the intestine, the cleavage of proglucagon allows the synthesis of different peptides including glicentine, oxyntomodulin, Glucagon Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) and Glucagon Like Peptide-2 (GLP-2). Glicentin is produced by L cells throughout the digestive tract, from the small intestine to the rectum, with a majority secretion in the colon. Studies in humans and animals have shown its role in the intestinal mucosa. It has a stimulating effect on the proliferation of the intestinal mucosa as well as an effect on smooth muscle cells and regulates trophicity and intestinal motility. Its circulating rate could be modified in case of intestinal ischemia. Mesenteric ischemia is a major diagnostic problem with high morbidity and mortality, particularly in the event of delayed treatment. The sensitivity and specificity of current markers are low. The identification of new biomarkers of the disease would improve the diagnosis and management of patients with the disease. The objective of the project is to determine a difference in circulating glicentin levels in patients with intestinal ischemia versus a control group. On this prospective monocentric study, 40 patients with digestive ischemia will be included in the Emergency Department of the University Hospital of Nice. A control group of 40 patients with abdominal pain will be formed. The circulating glicentin levels will be measured on serum by Elisa technique at the Biochemistry Laboratory of the University Hospital of Nice, work that has been published in 3 scientific journals allowing us to develop and validate the technique.The staff will determine whether patients with digestive ischemia have impaired serum glicentin levels. The evaluation of the interest of new biological markers of mesenteric ischemia such as glicentine would constitute a definite diagnostic advance. This project could eventually offer new diagnostic and/or therapeutic perspectives in the management of these patients.