GLP-2 administration to mice or rats promotes stimulation of crypt cell proliferation and inhibition of enterocyte apoptosis resulting in hyperplasia of the small bowel villous epithelium. It also exerts trophic effects in animal models of both small and large bowel injury such as experimental small bowel resection or chemically induced colitis. In addition to stimulation of epithelial proliferation, GLP-2 also acutely regulates gastric emptying and exerts rapid metabolic effects promoting stimulation of intestinal hexose transport. The actions of GLP-2 are transduced via the GLP-2 receptor, a member of the glucagon-secretin G protein-coupled receptor superfamily.