glucagon-like-peptide-1-(7-36) and Diabetes-Mellitus--Type-2

The search for intestinal factors regulating the endocrine secretion of the pancreas started soon after the discovery of secretin, i.e. nearly 100 years ago. Insulinotropic factors of the gut released by nutrients and stimulating insulin secretion in physiological concentrations in the presence of elevated blood glucose levels have been named incretins. Of the known gut hormones only gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like polypeptide-1 (GLP-1 [7-36] amide) fulfill this definition.--The incretin effect (i.e. the ratio between the integrated insulin response to an oral glucose load and an isoglycaemic intravenous glucose infusion) is markedly diminished in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, while the plasma levels of GIP and GLP-1 and their responses to nutrients are in the normal range. Therefore, a reduced responsiveness of the islet B-cells to incretins has been postulated. This insensitivity of the diabetic B-cells towards incretins can be overcome by supraphysiological (pharmacological) concentrations of GLP-1 [7-36], however not of GIP. Accordingly, fasting and postprandial glucose levels can be normalized in patients with type 2 diabetes by infusions of GLP-1 [7-36]. Further studies revealed that this is partially due to the fact that GLP-1 [7-36]--in addition to its insulinotropic effect--also inhibits glucagon secretion and delays gastric emptying. These three antidiabetic effects qualify GLP-1 [7-36] as an interesting therapeutic tool, mainly for type 2 diabetes. However, because of its short plasma half life time natural GLP-1 [7-36] is not suitable for subcutaneous application. At present methods are being developed to improve the pharmacokinetics of GLP-1 by inhibition of the cleaving enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) or by synthesis of DPP-IV resistant GLP-1 analogues. Also naturally occurring GLP-1 analogues (for instance exendin-4) with a much longer half life time than GLP-1 [7-36] are being tested.--Thus, after 100 years of speculations and experimentations, incretins and their analogues are emerging as new antidiabetic drugs.

Topics: Animals; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide; Glucagon; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Glucagon-Like Peptides; Humans; Intestines; Islets of Langerhans; Peptide Fragments; Protein Precursors

1. The incretin effect (i.e. the difference between the insulin response after oral and i.v. glucose) is reduced in type 2 diabetes although GIP secretion is normal or exaggerated. This suggests an insensitivity of the diabetic B-cell to GIP. However, it could also indicate the lack of another not yet defined "incretin". 2. While CCK is a potent incretin in rats and dogs, physiological concentrations of this hormone do not stimulate insulin secretion in man in presence of elevated blood levels of glucose or phenylalanine in the physiological range. It also does not interact with GIP. 3. Glucagon-like peptide I (7-36) is a potent glucose-dependent stimulator of insulin secretion in animals and man. Preliminary data suggest release after oral glucose despite localization of the GLPI containing cells predominantly in the ileum and colon. More data are needed before GLPI (7-36) can be regarded as a physiological incretin and its role in type 2 diabetes assessed.

Topics: Animals; Cholecystokinin; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide; Glucagon; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Glucagon-Like Peptides; Humans; Insulin; Insulin Secretion; Intestines; Islets of Langerhans; Peptide Fragments

We compared the efficacy and safety of beinaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue with metformin in lowering the bodyweight of patients who were overweight/obese and non-diabetic.. Seventy-eight non-diabetic patients were randomly selected and beinaglutide or metformin was administered for 12 weeks. The primary endpoints were changes in body weight and the proportions of patients who lost≥5 and≥10% of their baseline body weights.. A total of 64 patients completed the study; patients in the beinaglutide group exhibited more bodyweight loss than those in the metformin group [(9.5±0.8%; 9.1±0.9 kg) and (5.1±0.9%; 4.5±0.8 kg), respectively, corresponding to a difference of approximately 4.5 kg (95% confidence interval, 2.2-6.9 kg;. Beinaglutide is more efficient than metformin at reducing weight and fat mass in patients who are overweight/obese and non-diabetic. Beinaglutide may be a useful therapeutic option for overweight/obesity control in the Chinese population.

Topics: Body Weight; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Metformin; Obesity; Overweight; Peptide Fragments; Weight Loss

Topics: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Glucagon; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Glucagon-Like Peptides; Humans; Insulin; Peptide Fragments; Protein Precursors