GLP-2 vs GLP-1

GLP-1 and GLP-2 are released together from the same intestinal L-cells but do different jobs: GLP-1 governs glucose and appetite, GLP-2 grows and protects the intestinal lining.

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GLP-2

A 33-amino-acid gut hormone co-secreted with GLP-1 that drives growth and repair of the intestinal lining.

BEST STUDIED FOR

Repair & immune

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GLP-1

The native 30-amino-acid incretin hormone from intestinal L-cells that every GLP-1 receptor agonist imitates.

BEST STUDIED FOR

Incretin & metabolic

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SIDE BY SIDE

	GLP-2	GLP-1
The key difference	Gut growth and absorption	Insulin secretion and satiety
Class	Repair & immune	Incretin & metabolic
Mechanism	GLP-2 is encoded next to GLP-1 in the proglucagon gene and released from intestinal L-cells after meals.	GLP-1 is cut from proglucagon in gut L-cells and some brainstem neurons.
Status	Endogenous hormone and research target; the degradation-resistant analogue teduglutide is an approved medicine.	Endogenous hormone and research reference; long-acting analogues (semaglutide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, tirzepatide) are approved medicines.
Reported safety signals	Because GLP-2 is intestinotrophic, its relationship with neoplasia has been systematically reviewed.	Native GLP-1 is too short-lived for therapeutic use; class effects of its analogues are gastrointestinal first.
A key study	Describes GLP-2 as a 33-amino-acid proglucagon product promoting nutrient absorption. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2001, PMID 11297614)	A foundational review of GLP-1 production from proglucagon and its physiological actions. (Physiol Rev 2007, PMID 17928588)

WHEN TO RESEARCH WHICH

GLP-1 for metabolic research; GLP-2 for intestinal adaptation. Both are discussed here strictly as research compounds; nothing on this page is medical advice or a dosing guide.

REFERENCES (PUBMED)

[GLP-2] Glucagon-like peptide 2 — J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2001. PMID 11297614
[GLP-2] Glucagon-like Peptide-2 and the Regulation of Intestinal Growth and Function — Compr Physiol 2018. PMID 29978894
[GLP-2] Glucagon like peptide-2 and neoplasia; a systematic review — Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018. PMID 29231791
[GLP-1] The physiology of glucagon-like peptide 1 — Physiol Rev 2007. PMID 17928588
[GLP-1] Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) — Mol Metab 2019. PMID 31767182
[GLP-1] Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) signalling in the brain: From neural circuits and metabolism to therapeutics — Br J Pharmacol 2022. PMID 34519026

FREQUENTLY ASKED

What is the difference between GLP-2 and GLP-1?

GLP-1 and GLP-2 are released together from the same intestinal L-cells but do different jobs: GLP-1 governs glucose and appetite, GLP-2 grows and protects the intestinal lining.

What is the regulatory status of GLP-2 and GLP-1?

GLP-2: Endogenous hormone and research target; the degradation-resistant analogue teduglutide is an approved medicine. GLP-1: Endogenous hormone and research reference; long-acting analogues (semaglutide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, tirzepatide) are approved medicines.

What safety signals have been reported?

GLP-2: Because GLP-2 is intestinotrophic, its relationship with neoplasia has been systematically reviewed. GLP-1: Native GLP-1 is too short-lived for therapeutic use; class effects of its analogues are gastrointestinal first.

Which studies is this comparison based on?

For GLP-2: “Glucagon-like peptide 2” (PMID 11297614); “Glucagon-like Peptide-2 and the Regulation of Intestinal Growth and Function” (PMID 29978894); “Glucagon like peptide-2 and neoplasia; a systematic review” (PMID 29231791). For GLP-1: “The physiology of glucagon-like peptide 1” (PMID 17928588); “Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1)” (PMID 31767182); “Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) signalling in the brain: From neural circuits and metabolism to therapeutics” (PMID 34519026).