The dual incretin co-agonist tirzepatide increases both insulin secretion and glucose effectiveness in model experiments in mice.

Tirzepatide is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor co-agonist which is approved for glucose-lowering therapy in type 2 diabetes. Here, we explored its effects on beta cell function, insulin sensitivity and insulin-independent glucose elimination (glucose effectiveness) in normal mice. Anesthetized female C57/BL/6 J mice were injected intravenously with saline or glucose (0.125, 0.35 or 0.75 g/kg) with or without simultaneous administration of synthetic tirzepatide (3 nmol/kg). Samples were taken at 0, 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 min. Glucose elimination rate was estimated by the percentage reduction in glucose from min 5 to min 20 (KG). The 50 min areas under the curve (AUC) for insulin and glucose were determined. Beta cell function was assessed as AUCinsulin divided by AUCglucose. Insulin sensitivity (SI) and glucose effectiveness (SG) were determined by minimal model analysis of the insulin and glucose data. Tirzepatide glucose-dependently reduced glucose levels and increased insulin levels. The slope for the regression of AUCinsulin versus AUCglucose was increased 7-fold by tirzepatide from 0.014 ± 0.004 with glucose only to 0.099 ± 0.016 (P < 0.001). SI was not affected by tirzepatide, whereas SG was increased by 78% (P < 0.001). The increase in SG contributed to an increase in KG by 74 ± 4% after glucose alone and by 67 ± 8% after glucose+ tirzepatide, whereas contribution by SI times AUCinsulin insulin (i.e., disposition index) was 26 ± 4% and 33 ± 8%, respectively. In conclusion, tirzepatide stimulates both insulin secretion and glucose effectiveness, with stimulation of glucose effectiveness being the prominent process to reduce glucose.

Paradigm Shift in the Management of Metabolic Diseases-Next-Generation Incretin Therapy.

Recently impressive weight loss has been reported for novel incretin therapies based on dual-and triple-hormone receptor coagonists. These agents have potential as being positioned as early therapeutics for metabolic diseases for which weight loss is preferred, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and nonalcoholic liver disease. This development will change the landscape of future therapy and also place weight reduction at the centerpiece for therapy of metabolic diseases.

Gut hormone-based pharmacology: novel formulations and future possibilities for metabolic disease therapy.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are established pharmaceutical therapies for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. They mimic the action of GLP-1 to reduce glucose levels through stimulation of insulin secretion and inhibition of glucagon secretion. They also reduce body weight by inducing satiety through central actions. The GLP-1 receptor agonists used clinically are based on exendin-4 and native GLP-1 and are available as formulations for daily or weekly s.c. or oral administration. GLP-1 receptor agonism is also achieved by inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), which prevent the inactivation of GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), thereby prolonging their raised levels after meal ingestion. Other developments in GLP-1 receptor agonism include the formation of small orally available agonists and compounds with the potential to pharmaceutically stimulate GLP-1 secretion from the gut. In addition, GLP-1/glucagon and GLP-1/GIP dual receptor agonists and GLP-1/GIP/glucagon triple receptor agonists have shown the potential to reduce blood glucose levels and body weight through their effects on islets and peripheral tissues, improving beta cell function and stimulating energy expenditure. This review summarises developments in gut hormone-based therapies and presents the future outlook for their use in type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Contribution of GIP and GLP-1 to the Insulin Response to Oral Administration of Glucose in Female Mice.

It has previously been shown that the incretin effect accounts for ≈50% of the insulin response to oral glucose in normal mice. Now, I have proceeded and studied the contribution of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) to the insulin response to oral glucose in female mice by using receptor antagonists. A specific GIP receptor antagonist (mGIP(3-30); 50 or 500 nmol/kg), a specific GLP-1 receptor antagonist (exendin(9-39); 3 or 30 nmol/kg), the combination of mGIP (500 nmol/kg) and exendin(9-39) (30 nmol/kg), or saline was given intravenously four minutes after administration of glucose (50 mg) through a gastric tube in anesthetized C57/BL6J mice (n = 95) with samples obtained before glucose administration and after 15, 30 and 60 min. The insulinogenic index, determined as the area under the 60 min curve for insulin (AUCinsulin) divided by the AUCglucose, was used to reflect the insulin response. It was found that the insulinogenic index was reduced by 67 ± 4% by mGIP(3-30) (p < 0.001), by 60 ± 14% by exendin(9-39) (p = 0.007) and by 61 ± 14% by the combination of mGIP(3-30) and exendin(9-39) (p = 0.043), both at their highest doses, compared to animals injected with glucose in the same experimental series. It is concluded that both GIP and GLP-1 are required for a normal incretin effect in female mice, that they contribute similarly to the insulin response, and that it is unlikely that there is another incretin hormone in this species.

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion in humans: Characteristics and regulation.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) are important incretin hormones. They are released from the gut after meal ingestion and potentiate glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Their release after meal ingestion and oral glucose are well established and have been characterized previously. During recent years, knowledge of other regulatory aspects that potentially may affect GIP and GLP-1 secretion after meal ingestion have also begun to emerge. Here, the results of human studies on these novel aspects of meal- and nutrient-stimulated incretin hormone secretion are reviewed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The human literature was revisited by identifying articles in PubMed using key words GIP, GLP-1, secretion, meal, and nutrients. RESULTS: The results show that all macronutrients individually stimulate GIP and GLP-1 secretion. However, there was no synergistic action when given in combination. A pre-load 30 min before a meal augments the GIP and GLP-1 response. GIP and GLP-1 secretion have a diurnal variation with a higher response to an identical meal in the morning than in the afternoon. There is no difference in GIP and GLP-1 secretion whether a meal is ingested slowly or rapidly. GIP and GLP-1 secretion after dinner are the same whether or not breakfast and lunch have been ingested. The temperature of the food may be of importance for the incretin hormone response. CONCLUSIONS: These novel findings have increased our knowledge on the regulation of the complexity of the incretin system and are also important knowledge when designing future studies.

The Glucose Sensitivity of Insulin Secretion-Lessons from In Vivo and In Vitro Studies in Mice.

This study explored the relationship between the glucose dose and insulin response from beta cells in vivo and in vitro in mice. Glucose was administered intravenously at different dose levels (from 0 to 0.75 g/kg) in anesthetized C57BL/6J mice, and the glucose and insulin concentrations were determined in samples taken after 50 min. Furthermore, freshly isolated mouse islets were incubated for 60 min in the presence of different concentrations of glucose (from 2.8 to 22.2 mmol/L) and insulin levels were analyzed in the medium. It was found that insulin levels increased after an intravenous injection of glucose with the maximal increase seen after 0.35 g/kg with no further increase after 0.5 or 0.75 g/kg. The acute increase in insulin levels (during the first 5 min) and the maximum glucose level (achieved after 1 min) showed a curvilinear relation with the half-maximal increase in insulin levels achieved at 11.4 mmol/L glucose and the maximal increase in insulin levels at 22.0 mmol/L glucose. In vitro, there was also a curvilinear relation between glucose concentrations and insulin secretion. Half maximal increase in insulin concentrations was achieved at 12.5 mmol/L glucose and the maximal increase in insulin concentrations was achieved at 21.5 mmol/L. Based on these data, we concluded that the glucose-insulin relation was curvilinear both in vivo and in vitro in mice with similar characteristics in relation to which glucose levels that achieve half-maximal and maximal increases in insulin secretion. Besides the new knowledge of knowing these relations, the results have consequences on how to design studies on insulin secretion to obtain the most information.

Assessing the Effect of Incretin Hormones and Other Insulin Secretagogues on Pancreatic Beta-Cell Function: Review on Mathematical Modelling Approaches.

Mathematical modelling in glucose metabolism has proven very useful for different reasons. Several models have allowed deeper understanding of the relevant physiological and pathophysiological aspects and promoted new experimental activity to reach increased knowledge of the biological and physiological systems of interest. Glucose metabolism modelling has also proven useful to identify the parameters with specific physiological meaning in single individuals, this being relevant for clinical applications in terms of precision diagnostics or therapy. Among those model-based physiological parameters, an important role resides in those for the assessment of different functional aspects of the pancreatic beta cell. This study focuses on the mathematical models of incretin hormones and other endogenous substances with known effects on insulin secretion and beta-cell function, mainly amino acids, non-esterified fatty acids, and glucagon. We found that there is a relatively large number of mathematical models for the effects on the beta cells of incretin hormones, both at the cellular/organ level or at the higher, whole-body level. In contrast, very few models were identified for the assessment of the effect of other insulin secretagogues. Given the opportunities offered by mathematical modelling, we believe that novel models in the investigated field are certainly advisable.

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide secretion after oral macronutrient ingestion: The human literature revisited and a systematic study in model experiments in mice.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: The incretin hormone glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) is secreted after meal ingestion. This study explored the relative influence of classes of macronutrients on GIP secretion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The human literature was revisited by identifying articles from PubMed using key words GIP, macronutrients, carbohydrates, fat, protein, healthy subjects. In model experiments in anesthetized mice, glucose (25-125 mg), protein (15-120 mg), fat emulsion (6-100 mg) or saline was given orally with determination of GIP levels. RESULTS: The literature survey identified 15 studies in which glucose, protein or fat was administered to healthy subjects. All three classes of macronutrients stimulated GIP secretion with a 30-45 min peak after glucose and protein, and a more prolonged release after fat. Limitations in study designs preclude firm conclusions on the relative potency of the macronutrients. In mice, glucose was more potent to stimulate GIP secretion than fat and protein, with no significant difference between protein and fat. By co-administration of the macronutrients at moderate caloric combinations, a synergistic stimulation of GIP secretion was observed. In contrast, when raising the glucose challenge together with protein and fat, no synergy, but an additive effect, was evident. CONCLUSIONS: Glucose, protein and fat all stimulate GIP secretion in humans and mice. In mice, glucose is more potent than fat and protein, and there is also a synergy between the macronutrients on GIP secretion at moderate caloric doses. Further studies are warranted in humans to explore the relative potency of macronutrients.

Temporal Patterns of Glucagon and Its Relationships with Glucose and Insulin following Ingestion of Different Classes of Macronutrients.

BACKGROUND: glucagon secretion and inhibition should be mainly determined by glucose and insulin levels, but the relative relevance of each factor is not clarified, especially following ingestion of different macronutrients. We aimed to investigate the associations between plasma glucagon, glucose, and insulin after ingestion of single macronutrients or mixed-meal. METHODS: thirty-six participants underwent four metabolic tests, based on administration of glucose, protein, fat, or mixed-meal. Glucagon, glucose, insulin, and C-peptide were measured at fasting and for 300 min following food ingestion. We analyzed relationships between time samples of glucagon, glucose, and insulin in each individual, as well as between suprabasal area-under-the-curve of the same variables (ΔAUCGLUCA, ΔAUCGLU, ΔAUCINS) over the whole participants' cohort. RESULTS: in individuals, time samples of glucagon and glucose were related in only 26 cases (18 direct, 8 inverse relationships), whereas relationship with insulin was more frequent (60 and 5, p < 0.0001). The frequency of significant relationships was different among tests, especially for direct relationships (p ≤ 0.006). In the whole cohort, ΔAUCGLUCA was weakly related to ΔAUCGLU (p ≤ 0.02), but not to ΔAUCINS, though basal insulin secretion emerged as possible covariate. CONCLUSIONS: glucose and insulin are not general and exclusive determinants of glucagon secretion/inhibition after mixed-meal or macronutrients ingestion.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 and beta cell glucose sensitivity - a glucose ramp study in mice.

The incretin glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a gut hormone but also locally produced in pancreatic islets. We evaluated effects of GLP-1 on the insulin response to a gradual increase in glucose in mice within physiological levels. We initially developed a glucose ramp technique in mice. Glucose levels were slowly increased by 0.2 mmol/l/min for 40 min under control conditions, during intravenous infusion of GLP-1 and in GLP-1 receptor knockout mice. In control mice, glucose levels increased from 8.5 ± 0.3 to 16.1 ± 0.3 mmol/l over the 40 min, i.e., by 0.22 ± 0.01 mmol/l/min. This resulted in a slow increase in insulin levels by 96 ± 38 pmol/l from the baseline of 319 ± 53 pmol/l. GLP-1 at 0.5 nmol/kg as bolus plus 0.3 nmol/kg/min over 40 min progressively increased this insulin response by 100-fold, to 9.5 ± 0.2 nmol/l (P < 0.001). Higher doses of GLP-1 enhanced the insulin response similarly (1.0 or 3.0 nmol/kg bolus followed by 0.4 or 1.2 nmol/kg/min), whereas a lower dose (0.3 nmol/kg bolus plus 0.15 nmol/kg/min) had no significant effect compared to controls. Moreover, there was no significant difference in insulin responses between controls and GLP-1 receptor knockout mice. Since the increase in glucose levels were standardized, there was no significant difference in glucose levels between the experimental groups. We conclude that the glucose ramp technique is a tool for studies on insulin responses to slow changes in circulating glucose levels in mice. We also conclude that GLP-1 is extraordinarily potent in enhancing the insulin response to a slow increase in glucose levels.

Hepatic and Extrahepatic Insulin Clearance in Mice with Double Deletion of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 and Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide Receptors.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether incretins, at physiological levels, affect hepatic and/or extrahepatic insulin clearance. Hepatic and extrahepatic insulin clearance was studied in 31 double incretin receptor knockout (DIRKO) and 45 wild-type (WT) mice, which underwent an Intravenous Glucose Tolerance Test (IVGTT). A novel methodology based on mathematical modeling was designed to provide two sets of values (FEL-P1, CLP-P1; FEL-P2, CLP-P2) accounting for hepatic and extrahepatic clearance in the IVGTT first and second phases, respectively, plus the respective total clearances, CLT-P1 and CLT-P2. A statistically significant difference between DIRKO and WT was found in CLT-P1 (0.61 [0.48-0.82] vs. 0.51 [0.46-0.65] (median [interquartile range]); p = 0.02), which was reflected in the peripheral component, CLP-P1 (0.18 [0.13-0.27] vs. 0.15 [0.11-0.22]; p = 0.04), but not in the hepatic component, FEL-P1 (29.7 [26.7-34.9] vs. 28.9 [25.7-32.0]; p = 0.18). No difference was detected between DIRKO and WT in CLT-P2 (1.38 [1.13-1.75] vs. 1.69 [1.48-1.87]; p = 0.10), neither in CLP-P2 (0.72 [0.64-0.81] vs. 0.79 [0.69-0.87]; p = 0.27) nor in FEL-P2 (37.8 [35.1-43.1] vs. 39.8 [35.8-44.2]; p = 0.46). In conclusion, our findings suggest that the higher insulin clearance observed in DIRKO compared with WT during the IVGTT first phase may be due to its extrahepatic component.

Impact of Incretin Hormone Receptors on Insulin-Independent Glucose Disposal in Model Experiments in Mice.

A large contribution to glucose elimination from the circulation is achieved by insulin-independent processes. We have previously shown that the two incretin hormones, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) increase this process and, therefore, seem to contribute to glucose disposal both through this effect and through the classical incretin effect resulting in enhanced insulin levels. We have now explored in more detail the potential contribution by incretin hormone receptors to insulin-independent processes for glucose elimination. To that end, we have performed intravenous glucose tests (0.35g/kg) in C57BL/6J mice and analyzed glucose elimination rate and glucose effectiveness (i.e., insulin-independent glucose disposal, SG) in wildtype mice and in mice with genetic deletion of GIP receptors or GLP-1 receptors. We performed studies with or without complete blockade of insulin secretion by the drug diazoxide (25 mg/kg). The mice were anesthetized with a novel fentanyl citrate/fluanisone formulation, called Fluafent, together with midazolam. Initially we demonstrated that glucose and insulin data after intravenous and oral glucose were not different using this anesthesia compared to the previously commonly used combination of HypnormR and midazolam. The results show that SG was reduced in GLP-1 receptor knockout mice, whereas there was no difference between GIP receptor knockout mice and wildtype mice, and this was evident both under normal conditions and after complete inhibition of insulin secretion. The study therefore indicates that insulin-independent glucose elimination requires active GLP-1 receptors and thus that the two incretin hormone receptor types show dissociated relevance for this process.

The Insulin Response to Oral Glucose in GIP and GLP-1 Receptor Knockout Mice: Review of the Literature and Stepwise Glucose Dose Response Studies in Female Mice.

A key factor for the insulin response to oral glucose is the pro-glucagon derived incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), together with the companion incretin hormone, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). Studies in GIP and GLP-1 receptor knockout (KO) mice have been undertaken in several studies to examine this role of the incretin hormones. In the present study, we reviewed the literature on glucose and insulin responses to oral glucose in these mice. We found six publications with such studies reporting results of thirteen separate study arms. The results were not straightforward, since glucose intolerance in GIP or GLP-1 receptor KO mice were reported only in eight of the arms, whereas normal glucose tolerance was reported in five arms. A general potential weakness of the published study is that each of them have examined effects of only one single dose of glucose. In a previous study in mice with genetic deletion of both GLP-1 and GIP receptors we showed that these mice have impaired insulin response to oral glucose after large but not small glucose loads, suggesting that the relevance of the incretin hormones may be dependent on the glucose load. To further test this hypothesis, we have now performed a stepwise glucose administration through a gastric tube (from zero to 125mg) in model experiments in anesthetized female wildtype, GLP-1 receptor KO and GIP receptor KO mice. We show that GIP receptor KO mice exhibit glucose intolerance in the presence of impaired insulin response after 100 and 125 mg glucose, but not after lower doses of glucose. In contrast, GLP-1 receptor KO mice have normal glucose tolerance after all glucose loads, in the presence of a compensatory increase in the insulin response. Therefore, based on these results and the literature survey, we suggest that GIP and GLP-1 receptor KO mice retain normal glucose tolerance after oral glucose, except after large glucose loads in GIP receptor KO mice, and we also show an adaptive mechanism in GLP-1 receptor KO mice, which needs to be further examined.

Glucose-lowering action through targeting islet dysfunction in type 2 diabetes: Focus on dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibition.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibition is a glucose-lowering medication for type 2 diabetes. It works through stimulation of insulin secretion and inhibition of glucagon secretion in a glucose-dependent manner, resulting in lowered fasting and postprandial glycemia with low risk of hypoglycemia. As impaired insulin secretion and augmented glucagon secretion are key factors underlying hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes, DPP-4 inhibition represents a therapy that targets the underlying mechanisms of the disease. If insufficient in monotherapy, it can preferably be used in combination with metformin, which targets insulin resistance, and also in combination with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibition, thiazolidinediones and insulin, which target other mechanisms. In individuals of East Asian origin, islet dysfunction is of particular importance for the development of type 2 diabetes. Consequently, it has been shown in several studies that DPP-4 is efficient in these populations. This mini-review highlights the islet mechanisms of DPP-4 inhibition, islet dysfunction as a key factor for hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes and that, consequently, DPP-4 is of particular value in populations where islet dysfunction is central, such as in individuals of East Asian origin.

Mathematical Model of Glucagon Kinetics for the Assessment of Insulin-Mediated Glucagon Inhibition During an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test.

Glucagon is secreted from the pancreatic alpha cells and plays an important role in the maintenance of glucose homeostasis, by interacting with insulin. The plasma glucose levels determine whether glucagon secretion or insulin secretion is activated or inhibited. Despite its relevance, some aspects of glucagon secretion and kinetics remain unclear. To gain insight into this, we aimed to develop a mathematical model of the glucagon kinetics during an oral glucose tolerance test, which is sufficiently simple to be used in the clinical practice. The proposed model included two first-order differential equations -one describing glucagon and the other describing C-peptide in a compartment remote from plasma - and yielded a parameter of possible clinical relevance (i.e., SGLUCA(t), glucagon-inhibition sensitivity to glucose-induced insulin secretion). Model was validated on mean glucagon data derived from the scientific literature, yielding values for SGLUCA(t) ranging from -15.03 to 2.75 (ng of glucagon·nmol of C-peptide-1). A further validation on a total of 100 virtual subjects provided reliable results (mean residuals between -1.5 and 1.5 ng·L-1) and a negative significant linear correlation (r = -0.74, p < 0.0001, 95% CI: -0.82 - -0.64) between SGLUCA(t) and the ratio between the areas under the curve of suprabasal remote C-peptide and glucagon. Model reliability was also proven by the ability to capture different patterns in glucagon kinetics. In conclusion, the proposed model reliably reproduces glucagon kinetics and is characterized by sufficient simplicity to be possibly used in the clinical practice, for the estimation in the single individual of some glucagon-related parameters.

The mediation by GLP-1 receptors of glucagon-induced insulin secretion revisited in GLP-1 receptor knockout mice.

To study whether activation of GLP-1 receptors importantly contributes to the insulinotropic action of exogenously administered glucagon, we have performed whole animal experiments in normal mice and in mice with GLP-1 receptor knockout. Glucagon (1, 3 or 10 µg/kg), the GLP-1 receptor antagonist exendin 9-39 (30 nmol/kg), glucose (0.35 g/kg) or the incretin hormone glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP; 3 nmol/kg) was injected intravenously or glucose (75 mg) was given orally through gavage. Furthermore, islets were isolated and incubated in the presence of glucose with or without glucagon. It was found that the insulin response to intravenous glucagon was preserved in GLP-1 receptor knockout mice but that glucagon-induced insulin secretion was markedly suppressed in islets from GLP-1 receptor knockout mice. Similarly, the GLP-1 receptor antagonist markedly suppressed glucagon-induced insulin secretion in wildtype mice. These data suggest that GLP-1 receptors contribute to the insulinotropic action of glucagon and that there is a compensatory mechanism in GLP-1 receptor knockout mice that counteracts a reduced effect of glucagon. Two potential compensatory mechanisms (glucose and GIP) were explored. However, neither of these seemed to explain why the insulin response to glucagon is not suppressed in GLP-1 receptor knockout mice. Based on these data we confirm the hypothesis that glucagon-induced insulin secretion is partially mediated by GLP-1 receptors on the beta cells and we propose that a compensatory mechanism, the nature of which remains to be established, is induced in GLP-1 receptor knockout mice to counteract the expected impaired insulin response to glucagon in these mice.

Glucose effectiveness: Lessons from studies on insulin-independent glucose clearance in mice.

Besides insulin-mediated transport of glucose into the cells, an important role is also played by the non-insulin-mediated transport. This latter process is called glucose effectiveness (acronym SG ), which is estimated by modeling of glucose and insulin data after an intravenous glucose administration, and accounts for ≈70% of glucose disposal. This review summarizes studies on SG , mainly in humans and rodents with focus on results achieved in model experiments in mice. In humans, SG is reduced in type 2 diabetes, in obesity, in liver cirrhosis and in some elderly populations. In model experiments in mice, SG is independent from glucose levels, but increases when insulin secretion is stimulated, such as after administration of the incretin hormones, glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide. SG is reduced in insulin resistance induced by high-fat feeding and by exogenous administration of glucagon. Glucose-dependent (insulin-independent) glucose disposal is therefore important for glucose elimination, and it is also well regulated. It might be of pathophysiological relevance for the development of type 2 diabetes, in particular during insulin resistance, and might also be a target for glucose-reducing therapy. Measuring SG is essentially important when carrying out metabolic studies to understand glucose homeostasis.

Consequences on islet and incretin hormone responses to dinner by omission of lunch in healthy men.

BACKGROUND: Omission of breakfast results in higher glucose and lower insulin and incretin hormone levels after both lunch and dinner. Whether omission of lunch has a similar impact on the following meal is not known. AIM: This study therefore explored whether omission of lunch ingestion affects glucose, islet and incretin hormones after dinner ingestion in healthy subjects. MATERIALS & METHODS: Twelve male volunteers (mean age 22 years, BMI 22.5 kg/m2) underwent two test days in random order with standard breakfast and dinner on both days with provision or omission of standard lunch in between. RESULTS: The results showed that throughout the 300 minutes study period, glucose, insulin, glucagon and GIP levels after dinner ingestion did not differ between the two tests. In contrast, C-peptide, and GLP-1 levels were 26%-35% higher at later time points after dinner ingestion when lunch had been omitted (P < .05). CONCLUSION: We conclude that omission of lunch increases GLP-1 and insulin secretion and possibly also insulin clearance resulting in unchanged glucose and insulin levels after dinner ingestion.

The Incretin Effect in Female Mice With Double Deletion of GLP-1 and GIP Receptors.

To establish the contribution of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) for the incretin effect after oral glucose, studies were undertaken in female mice with genetic deletion of receptors for GIP and GLP-1 (double incretin receptor knockout [DIRKO] mice) and their wild-type (WT) counterparts. Insulin secretion was explored after oral glucose (doses ranging from 0 to 100 mg), after intravenous glucose (doses ranging from 0 to 0.75 g/kg), and after oral and intravenous glucose at matching circulating glucose. DIRKO mice had glucose intolerance after oral glucose challenges in association with impaired beta-cell function. Suprabasal area under the curve for C-peptide (AUCC-peptide) correlated linearly with suprabasal AUCglucose both in WT (r = 0.942, P = .017) and DIRKO mice (r = 0.972, P = .006). The slope of this regression was lower in DIRKO than in WT mice (0.012 ±â€…0.006 vs 0.031 ±â€…0.006 nmol C-peptide/mmol glucose, P = .042). In contrast, there was no difference in the insulin response to intravenous glucose between WT and DIRKO mice. Furthermore, oral and intravenous glucose administration at matching glucose levels showed that the augmentation of insulin secretion after oral glucose (the incretin effect) in WT mice (11.8 ±â€…2.3 nmol/L min) was entirely absent in DIRKO mice (3.3 ±â€…1.2 nmol/L min). We conclude that GIP and GLP-1 are required for normal glucose tolerance and beta-cell function after oral glucose in mice, that they are the sole incretin hormones after oral glucose at higher dose levels, and that they contribute by 65% to insulin secretion after oral glucose.

Islet adaptation in GIP receptor knockout mice.

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor knockout (KO) mice are tools for studying GIP physiology. Previous results have demonstrated that these mice have impaired insulin response to oral glucose. In this study, we examined the insulin response to intravenous glucose by measuring glucose, insulin and C-peptide after intravenous glucose (0.35 g/kg) in 5-h fasted female GIP receptor KO mice and their wild-type (WT) littermates. The 1 min insulin and C-peptide responses to intravenous glucose were significantly enhanced in GIP receptor KO mice (n = 26) compared to WT mice (n = 30) as was beta cell function (area under the 50 min C-peptide curve divided by area under the 50 min curve for glucose) (P = 0.001). Beta cell function after intravenous glucose was also enhanced in GIP receptor KO mice in the presence of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor antagonist exendin 9 (30 nmol/kg; P = 0.007), the muscarinic antagonist atropine (5 mg/kg; P = 0.007) and the combination of the alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine (1.4 mg/kg) and the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol (2.5 mg/kg; P = 0.042). Analysis of the regression between fasting glucose (6.8 ± 0.1 mmol/l in GIP receptor KO mice and 7.5 ± 0.2 mmol/l in WT mice, P = 0.003) and the 1 min C-peptide response to intravenous glucose showed a negative linear regression between these variables in both WT (n = 60; r = -0.425, P = 0.001) and GIP receptor KO mice (n = 56; r = -0.474, P < 0.001). We conclude that there is a beta cell adaptation in GIP receptor KO mice resulting in enhanced insulin secretion after intravenous glucose to which slight long-term reduction in circulating glucose in these mice may contribute.