EcN-GLP-1

EcN-GLP-1 is an engineered probiotic strain of *Escherichia coli Nissle 1917* (EcN) designed to produce and deliver the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) molecule. This approach aims to overcome the limitations of native GLP-1, such as its extremely short half-life due to degradation by proteolytic enzymes and challenges associated with subcutaneous administration. It is being investigated for its neuroprotective effects in Parkinson's disease (PD) and its diabetes-mitigating effects in both Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In PD models, it has shown to improve motor deficits, increase tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons, suppress microglia and astrocyte activation, reduce inflammation, and ameliorate colonic barrier function. In DM models, it has demonstrated a decrease in blood glucose levels, protection of islet β-cell structural integrity, downregulation of inflammatory markers, promotion of insulin secretion, and restoration of gut microbiota diversity.