Enteroendocrine L-cell (L-cell)

Enteroendocrine L-cells are specialized hormone-secreting cells distributed throughout the gastrointestinal epithelium, most densely in the distal small intestine and colon[1][4][7]. They sense nutrients and release anorectic peptides such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and peptide YY (PYY), which regulate satiety, glucose homeostasis, and metabolism. L-cells have site-specific heterogeneity in peptide expression and responsiveness, and may be subclassified (e.g., proximal vs distal) based on anatomical site and function[4][9]. L-cells are a research focus for metabolic disease, but drugs target the hormones they secrete or their differentiation, not the cells themselves[9].

Other names

L cellL-type enteroendocrine cellneuropod cell

Nutrient-dependent GLP-1 and PYY secretion induces *insulin release* (GLP-1 effect), appetite suppression (GLP-1, PYY), and slows gastric emptying Drugs may act by stimulating L-cell differentiation or hormone secretion