The Review of Diabetic Studies

Physiology of Incretins in Health and Disease

Carolyn F. Deacon
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
Bo Ahrén
Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, SE-221 84 Lund, Sweden

Abstract:

The incretin hormones, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), are gut peptides which are secreted by endocrine cells in the intestinal mucosa. Their plasma concentrations increase quickly following food ingestion, and carbohydrate, fat, and protein have all been shown to stimulate GLP-1 and GIP secretion. Although neural and hormonal mechanisms have also been proposed to regulate incretin hormone secretion, direct stimulation of the enteroendocrine cells by the presence of nutrients in the intestinal lumen is probably the most important factor in humans. The actions of the incretin hormones are crucial for maintaining normal islet function and glucose homeostasis. Furthermore, it is also now being recognized that incretin hormones may have other actions in addition to their glucoregulatory effects. Studies have shown that GLP-1 and GIP levels and actions may be perturbed in disease states, but interpretation of the precise relationship between disease and incretins is difficult. The balance of evidence seems to suggest that alterations in secretion and/or action of incretin hormones arise secondarily to the development of insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, and/or increases in body weight rather than being causative factors. However, these impairments may contribute to the deterioration of glycemic control in diabetic patients.

Keywords
DPP-4 · GIP · GLP-1 · glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide · glucagon-like peptide-1 · glycemic control · gut hormone · incretin · obesity · type 2 diabetes,.

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Editor

Demosthenes Panagiotakos
MD, PhD

Abbreviation Title

Rev Diabet Stud

Frequency

Quarterly