GLP-2: The Gut Repair Peptide
GLP-2 is a natural messenger your body produces in your intestines, and scientists have created a synthetic version people use to heal and strengthen their gut. Think of your intestinal lining as a selective filter—it needs to absorb nutrients while blocking harmful stuff. When that filter breaks down or your intestine is damaged or too short, your body can't absorb food properly. GLP-2 is essentially a repair signal that tells your gut to fix itself.
Here's how it works: when you take GLP-2, it activates specific receptors that line your intestines, like pressing buttons that trigger repair mode. Your gut cells start multiplying faster while damaged cells stop dying off, effectively thickening and expanding your intestinal lining. At the same time, GLP-2 tightens the junctions between your gut cells—imagine caulking cracks in a wall—which strengthens your barrier function. It also boosts blood flow to your intestines and quiets down inflammation, helping everything work more efficiently.
The result is a gut that absorbs nutrients better and functions more normally. This is particularly powerful for people with short bowel syndrome, where a large portion of intestine is missing or damaged. Instead of relying on feeding tubes, their remaining intestine can suddenly absorb enough nutrition to sustain them—all because GLP-2 optimized what they have left.
Dosage Information
Typical Dose
0.05 mg/kg daily (clinical), 100-200 mcg (research protocols)
Frequency
Once daily subcutaneous injection
Administration
Subcutaneous injection
Half-Life
7 minutes
Notes
FDA-approved teduglutide dose is 0.05 mg/kg daily for short bowel syndrome. Research use for leaky gut and IBD uses lower doses. Requires medical supervision for clinical indications.
Why this matters
Extremely short; clinical analogs (teduglutide) extend this to hours.
Protocol cycle
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Where does GLP-2 sit?
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Evidence Score
0.72
Compound Data
Molecular Formula
C165H254N44O55S
Molecular Weight
3766.10 g/mol
IUPAC Name
(2S)-2-[[(2S,3R)-2-[[(2S,3S)-2-[[(2S)-6-amino-2-[[(2S,3R)-2-[[(2S)-5-amino-2-[[(2S,3S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-4-amino-2-[[(2S,3S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-4-amino-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S,3S)-2-[[(2S,3R)-2-[[(2S)-4-amino-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-amino-3-(1H-imidazol-5-yl)propanoyl]amino]propanoyl]amino]-3-carboxypropanoyl]amino]acetyl]amino]-3-hydroxypropanoyl]amino]-3-phenylpropanoyl]amino]-3-hydroxypropanoyl]amino]-3-carboxypropanoyl]amino]-4-carboxybutanoyl]amino]-4-methylsulfanylbutanoyl]amino]-4-oxobutanoyl]amino]-3-hydroxybutanoyl]amino]-3-methylpentanoyl]amino]-4-methylpentanoyl]amino]-3-carboxypropanoyl]amino]-4-oxobutanoyl]amino]-4-methylpentanoyl]amino]propanoyl]amino]propanoyl]amino]-5-carbamimidamidopentanoyl]amino]-3-carboxypropanoyl]amino]-3-phenylpropanoyl]amino]-3-methylpentanoyl]amino]-4-oxobutanoyl]amino]-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propanoyl]amino]-4-methylpentanoyl]amino]-3-methylpentanoyl]amino]-5-oxopentanoyl]amino]-3-hydroxybutanoyl]amino]hexanoyl]amino]-3-methylpentanoyl]amino]-3-hydroxybutanoyl]amino]butanedioic acid
PubChem CID
71300624Potential Side Effects
GLP-2 discussions
Quick Facts
- Administration
- Subcutaneous injection
- Typical Dose
- 0.05 mg/kg daily (clinical), 100-200 mcg (research protocols)
- Frequency
- Once daily subcutaneous injection
- References
- 0 curated + 47 from PubMed
- Clinical Trials
- 48 registered
- Evidence Score
- 0.7 / 100
Frequently Asked Questions about GLP-2
What is GLP-2?
Glucagon-like Peptide-2 (GLP-2) is an endogenous intestinotrophic hormone produced by L-cells in the intestinal mucosa that promotes gut epithelial growth repair and function. A synthetic analog teduglutide (Gattex/Revestive) is FDA-approved for short bowel syndrome — making GLP-2 one of the few gut peptides with regulatory approval. GLP-2 is increasingly studied for intestinal permeability leaky gut inflammatory bowel disease and mucosal healing applications. It represents the most targeted peptide intervention for gut epithelial health currently available.
How does GLP-2 work?
GLP-2 acts through a specific receptor (GLP-2R) expressed predominantly on intestinal enteroendocrine cells and enteric neurons. Receptor activation stimulates crypt cell proliferation and inhibits enterocyte apoptosis increasing the surface area and absorptive capacity of the small intestinal mucosa. GLP-2 upregulates tight junction proteins including claudin and occludin that maintain the intestinal barrier reducing intestinal permeability. It also stimulates intestinal blood flow promotes nutrient absorption and has anti-inflammatory effects through reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in the gut wall. In short bowel syndrome GLP-2 treatment reduces the need for parenteral nutrition by dramatically improving the remaining intestine's absorptive function. The intestinotrophic effects are specific to the gastrointestinal tract with minimal systemic anabolic effects distinguishing it from GLP-1.
What is the recommended dosage for GLP-2?
The typical dose is 0.05 mg/kg daily (clinical), 100-200 mcg (research protocols). Once daily subcutaneous injection. Administration: Subcutaneous injection. FDA-approved teduglutide dose is 0.05 mg/kg daily for short bowel syndrome. Research use for leaky gut and IBD uses lower doses. Requires medical supervision for clinical indications.
What are the side effects of GLP-2?
Injection site reactions (common). Abdominal pain (common). Nausea (common). Intestinal obstruction risk in patients with strictures (uncommon but serious). Colorectal polyp growth with long-term use — requires colonoscopy monitoring
What is the GLP-2 cycle protocol?
GLP-2 is typically cycled continuous. Daily subcutaneous injection, no cycling mentioned.
Questions reflect common community inquiries. This is not medical advice.