By using radioimmunoassays toward the cDNA-predicted amino acid sequence of human glucagon-like peptide-2, a peptide was isolated from extracts of human ileum. By mass spectrometry and Edman sequencing, this peptide was identified as human proglucagon 126-158. High-performance liquid chromatography analyses indicated that a similar immunoreactive peptide (iGLP-2) was present in human plasma. Human plasma concentrations of iGLP-2 were elevated 3- to 4-fold at 1 to 2 h after ingestion of 800 to 1200 kcal meals.