The invention relates to glucagon-related peptides and their use for theprevention or treatment of disorders involving the upper gastrointestinaltract including the esophagus and stomach. In particular, it has now beendemonstrated that GLP-2 and peptidic agonists of GLP-2 can cause proliferationof the tissue of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Thus, the inventionprovides methods of proliferating the upper gastrointestinal tract in asubject in need thereof. Further, the methods of the invention are useful totreat or prevent inflammatory conditions of the upper gastrointestinal tract,including inflammatory diseases. GLP-2 stimulates the growth of uppergastrointestinal tissue when administered in conjunction with other peptidehormones. The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions of GLP-2with at least one other peptide hormone, methods of enhancing the growth ofupper gastrointestinal tissue and of gastrointestinal disorders by increasingserum levels of GLP-2 and at least one other peptide hormone, an kits forperforming the methods of the invention.
