Glucagon receptor agonist
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Glucagon receptor agonists are a class of drugs under development for the treatment of obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and congenital hyperinsulinism.
Glucagon is a hormone that generally opposes the action of insulin.[1] It increases blood glucose by stimulating the production of glucose in the liver via glycogenolysis (breakdown of glycogen) and gluconeogenesis (production of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources).[2] Glucagon also increases the breakdown of lipids and amino acids and the production of ketones.[3][4] In healthy people, a low dose of exogenous glucagon increases energy expenditure and reduces energy intake without causing hyperglycemia.[2] Glucagon is often elevated in type 2 diabetes;[3] glucagon receptor antagonists were developed for the treatment of this disease but most were abandoned due to safety and adverse effects.[2]