Liver-Expressed Antimicrobial Peptide 2 antagonizes the insulinostatic effect of ghrelin in rat isolated pancreatic islets.

Background The hormone ghrelin is the endogenous agonist of the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) termed growth-hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR). Ghrelin inhibits glucose-stimulated insulin secretion by activating pancreatic GHSR. Recently, Liver-Expressed Antimicrobial Peptide 2 (LEAP2) was recognized as an endogenous GHSR ligand that blocks ghrelin-induced actions. Nonetheless, the effect of LEAP2 on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from pancreatic islets is unknown. Objectives We aimed at exploring the activity of LEAP2 on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Methods Islets of Langerhans isolated from rat pancreas were exposed to glucose in the presence or in the absence of LEAP2 and ghrelin and then insulin secretion was assayed. Results LEAP2 did not modulate glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. However, LEAP2 blocked the insulinostatic action of ghrelin. Conclusion Our data show that LEAP2 behaves as an antagonist of pancreatic GHSR.