PYY, a Therapeutic Option for Type 2 Diabetes?

Metabolic surgery leads to rapid and effective diabetes reversal in humans, by weight-independent mechanisms. The crucial improvement in pancreatic islet function observed after surgery is induced by alteration in several factors, including gut hormones. In addition to glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), increasing lines of evidence show that peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY) plays a key role in the metabolic benefits associated with the surgery, ranging from appetite regulation to amelioration of islet secretory properties and survival. Here, we summarize the current knowledge and the latest advancements in the field, which pitch a strong case for the development of novel PYY-based therapy for the treatment of diabetes.