Gastrointestinal hormone

"Gut hormones" is an umbrella term referring to a diverse group of peptide and protein hormones secreted by specialized endocrine cells throughout the gastrointestinal tract. These molecules are not themselves therapeutic targets but rather represent an entire class that includes many distinct entities such as gastrin, cholecystokinin, secretin, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP‑1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), ghrelin, somatostatin, motilin, peptide YY (PYY), oxyntomodulin, among others[1][4][6][8]. Each member has unique receptors and biological actions. Gut hormones regulate essential physiological processes including digestion, nutrient absorption, appetite control, gastric acid secretion, pancreatic enzyme release, and overall energy homeostasis[4][8]. They act via endocrine, paracrine or neurocrine pathways depending on the specific molecule[6]. While several individual gut hormones or their receptors are considered important drug targets—especially in metabolic diseases like obesity and diabetes—the term "gut hormones" itself does not refer to any single molecular target or receptor. Therefore it is not appropriate for structured data extraction as if it were one target. Instead, each constituent should be treated separately for detailed pharmacological profiling. There is something incorrect with using "gut hormones" as a molecular target because it refers collectively to many different molecules rather than one defined entity suitable for drug targeting or biomarker development[1][4].

Other names

Gut hormoneGI hormoneEnteric hormoneDigestive hormone

null (as a group; mechanisms are specific to each individual gut hormone and its receptor)