Gastrointestinal hormone secretion

The term “gastrointestinal hormone secretion” refers broadly to the regulated release of various peptide hormones from enteroendocrine cells dispersed throughout the mucosa of the stomach and intestines. These cells respond to luminal nutrients and neural signals by secreting key regulatory peptides—including gastrin, secretin, cholecystokinin (CCK), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), glucagon-like peptide‑1 (GLP‑1), ghrelin, somatostatin—each acting via distinct receptors on target tissues throughout the digestive system and beyond. The coordinated action of these hormones controls gastric acid production, pancreatic enzyme/bicarbonate output, bile flow from gallbladder contraction, intestinal motility, appetite regulation, glucose metabolism, and more. Dysregulation can contribute to diseases such as diabetes mellitus or obesity. This is not considered a therapeutic target like a receptor or enzyme, but rather describes the collective activity of many targets involved in GI hormone release. Consequently, general interacting drugs and mechanisms of action are not applicable to the overall process; instead, they apply to individual hormones or their specific receptors/enzymes (e.g., GLP-1 analogs acting on GLP-1 receptors).

Other names

GI hormone releaseGut hormone secretionEnteroendocrine signaling

Not applicable for the overall process; mechanisms depend on specific drug-hormone/receptor interactions. Examples include agonism/antagonism at peptide receptors and inhibition of peptide degradation enzymes.