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Horm Metab Res 2004; 36(11/12): 742-746
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-826157
Review
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Overview of Incretin Hormones

S.  Efendic1 , N.  Portwood1
  • 1Department of Molecular Medicine, The Endocrine and Diabetes Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Further Information

Publication History

Received 5 August 2004

Accepted without revision 9 August 2004

Publication Date:
18 January 2005 (online)

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Abstract

Incretins are hormones released by nutrients from the GI tract. They amplify glucose-induced insulin release. By raising circulating incretin levels, oral glucose provokes a higher insulin response than that resulting from intravenous glucose. The two most important incretin hormones are glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). In patients with type 2 diabetes, the incretin effect is decreased, mainly due to loss of the GIP-regulated second phase of insulin secretion, and because of a decreased secretion of GLP-1. In addition to its insulinotropic effect, GLP-1 inhibits glucagon release, prolongs gastric emptying, and leads to decreases in body-weight, all of which explain the marked antidiabetogenic effect of this incretin hormone.

Key words

Incretin hormones - Insulin glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) - Type 2 diabetes

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Prof. S. Efendic

Institutionen för Molekylär Medicin, Enheten för Endokrinologi D2 : 04, 4tr

Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset · Solna · SE-17176 Stockholm · Sweden

Phone: +46-8-517-74365/73665

Fax: +46-8-517-73096 ·

Email: Suad.Efendic@molmed.ki.se