Worldwide Network for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (WBMT) recommendations for establishing a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation program in countries with limited resources (Part II): Clinical, technical and socio-economic considerations.

The development of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) programs can face significant challenges in most developing countries because such endeavors must compete with other government health care priorities, including the delivery of basic services. While this is may be a limiting factor, these countries should prioritize development of the needed expertise to offer state of the art treatments including transplantation, by providing financial, technological, legal, ethical and other needed support. This would prove beneficial in providing successful programs customized to the needs of their population, and potentially provide long-term cost-savings by circumventing the need for their citizens to seek care abroad. Costs of establishing HSCT program and the costs of the HSCT procedure itself can be substantial barriers in developing countries. Additionally, socioeconomic factors intrinsic to specific countries can influence access to HSCT, patient eligibility for HSCT and timely utilization of HSCT center capabilities. This report describes recommendations from the Worldwide Network for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (WBMT) for establishing HSCT programs with a specific focus on developing countries, and identifies challenges and opportunities for providing this specialized procedure in the resource constrained setting.

Effects of small intestinal glucose on glycaemia, insulinaemia and incretin hormone release are load-dependent in obese subjects.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Studies concerning the glycaemic response to oral glucose, or meals in obesity have usually failed to account for gastric emptying. It has been suggested that the incretin effect may be diminished in obesity as a result of a reduction in glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion. We sought to determine the effect of two different rates of intraduodenal glucose infusions on glycaemic, insulinaemic and incretin hormone responses in lean and obese subjects and compare the effects of oral and intraduodenal glucose in obese subjects. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Eleven obese subjects (age 37.5±4.1 years, body mass index (BMI) 35.7±1.4 kg m-2) and 12 controls (age 34.7±4.0 years, BMI 23.9±0.7 kg m-2) received intraduodenal infusions of glucose at 1 or 3 kcal min-1, or saline for 60 min (t=0-60 min), followed by intraduodenal saline (t=60-120 min). In obese subjects, an oral glucose tolerance test was performed. Blood glucose, serum insulin, plasma total GLP-1 and total gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) were measured. RESULTS: In both the groups (P<0.001), the incremental areas under the curve (iAUC)0-60 min for glucose was greater with the 3 kcal min-1 than the 1 kcal min-1 infusion; the iAUC0-120 min for glucose during 3 kcal min-1 was greater (P<0.05), in the obese. Insulin responses to 1 kcal min-1 and, particularly, 3 kcal min-1 were greater (P<0.001) in the obese. Stimulation of GLP-1 and GIP were greater (P<0.001) in response to 3 kcal min-1, compared with 1 kcal min-1 and saline, without any difference between the groups. In the obese, glycaemic, insulinaemic and GIP, but not GLP-1, responses to oral and intraduodenal glucose were related (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of duodenal glucose delivery is a major determinant of glycaemia, insulinaemia and incretin hormone release in obese subjects. Obesity is not apparently associated with impaired GLP-1 secretion.

Can we agree on patient-reported outcome measures for assessing hematopoietic cell transplantation patients? A study from the CIBMTR and BMT CTN.

Much research into the impact of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) on recipients' symptoms, functioning and health-related quality of life uses diverse patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures. Robust conclusions regarding PROs in HCT patients are constrained by methodological issues, including the use of multiple different and noncomparable assessment measures. We reviewed 114 publications addressing PROs in HCT patients. Although three multi-item measures were most frequently used (FACT-BMT, n=28; European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30, n=26; and SF-36, n=26), 25 additional measures were used in more than one study. Another 50 measures were used in single studies. Over 50% of studies used more than one measure. We recommend that the field agrees upon a set of measures to address the core domains important to patients, to reduce heterogeneity and allow comparisons across studies and between different populations. Measures should be available in a free and easily accessible manner internationally. We discuss the relative benefits of the National Institutes of Health-supported Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) system to achieve these goals. To further address these issues, the Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network has recently created a task force to implement PROMIS measures alongside traditional PRO measures in future clinical trials. Robust comparisons between measures in this setting may allow for the development of a standard for HCT patients.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation activity worldwide in 2012 and a SWOT analysis of the Worldwide Network for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Group including the global survey.

Data on 68 146 hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCTs) (53% autologous and 47% allogeneic) gathered by 1566 teams from 77 countries and reported through their regional transplant organizations were analyzed by main indication, donor type and stem cell source for the year 2012. With transplant rates ranging from 0.1 to 1001 per 10 million inhabitants, more HSCTs were registered from unrelated 16 433 donors than related 15 493 donors. Grafts were collected from peripheral blood (66%), bone marrow (24%; mainly non-malignant disorders) and cord blood (10%). Compared with 2006, an increase of 46% total (57% allogeneic and 38% autologous) was observed. Growth was due to an increase in reporting teams (18%) and median transplant activity/team (from 38 to 48 HSCTs/team). An increase of 167% was noted in mismatched/haploidentical family HSCT. A Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT) analysis revealed the global perspective of WBMT to be its major strength and identified potential to be the key professional body for patients and authorities. The limited data collection remains its major weakness and threat. In conclusion, global HSCT grows over the years without plateauing (allogeneic>autologous) and at different rates in the four World Health Organization regions. Major increases were observed in allogeneic, haploidentical HSCT and, to a lesser extent, in cord blood transplantation.

Comparative effect of intraduodenal and intrajejunal glucose infusion on the gut-incretin axis response in healthy males.

The region of enteral nutrient exposure may be an important determinant of postprandial incretin hormone secretion and blood glucose homoeostasis. We compared responses of plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), insulin and glucagon, and blood glucose to a standardised glucose infusion into the proximal jejunum and duodenum in healthy humans. Ten healthy males were evaluated during a standardised glucose infusion (2 kcal min(-1) over 120 min) into the proximal jejunum (50 cm post pylorus) and were compared with another 10 healthy males matched for ethnicity, age and body mass index who received an identical glucose infusion into the duodenum (12 cm post pylorus). Blood was sampled frequently for measurements of blood glucose and plasma hormones. Plasma GLP-1, GIP and insulin responses, as well as the insulin:glucose ratio and the insulinogenic index 1 (IGI1) were greater (P<0.05 for each) after intrajejunal (i.j.) than intraduodenal glucose infusion, without a significant difference in blood glucose or plasma glucagon. Pooled analyses revealed direct relationships between IGI1 and the responses of GLP-1 and GIP (r=0.48 and 0.56, respectively, P<0.05 each), and between glucagon and GLP-1 (r=0.70, P<0.001). In conclusion, i.j. glucose elicits greater incretin hormone and insulin secretion than intraduodenal glucose in healthy humans, suggesting regional specificity of the gut-incretin axis.

Safety of outpatient autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation for multiple myeloma and lymphoma.

Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (Auto-HCT) is commonly an in-patient procedure. However, Auto-HCT is increasingly being offered on an outpatient basis. To better characterize the safety of outpatient Auto-HCT, we compared the outcome of 230 patients who underwent Auto-HCT on an in-patient vs outpatient basis for myeloma or lymphoma within a single transplant program. All outpatient transplants occurred in a cancer center day hospital. Hematopoietic recovery occurred earlier in the outpatient cohort, with median time to neutrophil recovery of 10 vs 11 days (P<0.001) and median time to platelet recovery of 19 vs 20 days (P=0.053). Fifty-one percent of the outpatient cohort never required admission, with this percentage increasing in later years. Grade 3-4 non-hematologic toxicities occurred in 29% of both cohorts. Non-relapse mortality at 1 year was 0% in the outpatient cohort and 1.5% in the in-patient cohort (P=0.327). Two-year PFS was 62% for outpatient vs 54% for in-patient (P=0.155). One- and two-year OS was 97% and 83% for outpatient vs 91% and 80% for in-patient, respectively (P=0.271). We conclude that, with daily outpatient evaluation and aggressive supportive care, outpatient Auto-HCT can result in excellent outcomes for myeloma and lymphoma patients.

Islet cell transplantation in Australia: screening, remote transplantation, and incretin hormone secretion in insulin independent patients.

Islet cell transplantation has emerged as a treatment modality for type 1 diabetes in the last 15 years due to the Edmonton protocol leading to consistent and sustained exogenous insulin independence post-transplantation. In recent years, consortia that involve both local and remote islet cell centers have been established, with local centers responsible for processing and shipping of islet cells, and remote centers only transplanting them. There are, however, few data on patient outcomes at remote centers. A tendency for high fasting glucose despite insulin independence was noted by us and others with an unknown mechanism. This review provides a brief history of islet cell transplantation, and focuses on the South Australian remote center experience: the challenges, screening criteria, and the impact on incretin hormone secretion of insulin independent transplant patients.

Effects of sitagliptin on blood pressure and heart rate in response to intraduodenal glucose infusion in patients with Type 2 diabetes: a potential role for glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide?

AIMS: To evaluate the effects of the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor sitagliptin on blood pressure and heart rate, measured during a previously reported study, in which the effects of sitagliptin during intraduodenal glucose infusion at the rate of 2 kcal/min on glucose homeostasis were examined in patients with Type 2 diabetes. METHODS: A total of 10 people with Type 2 diabetes were studied on two different days, 30 min after oral ingestion of sitagliptin (100 mg) or placebo. Intraduodenal glucose was infused at 2 kcal/min (60 g over 120 min), and blood pressure, heart rate, plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (total and intact), glucose, insulin and glucagon responses were evaluated. RESULTS: In response to intraduodenal glucose infusion, heart rate (treatment effect: P = 0.001) and serum insulin concentration (treatment × time interaction: P = 0.041) were higher after sitagliptin treatment than placebo, without a significant difference in blood pressure, plasma glucagon or glucose. During intraduodenal glucose infusion, there was a substantial increase in plasma total glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide on both days (time effect: P < 0.001), but not in total glucagon-like peptide-1. After sitagliptin, plasma intact glucagon-like peptide-1 concentration increased slightly (treatment × time interaction: P = 0.044) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide concentration increased substantially (treatment × time interaction: P = 0.003).The heart rate response to intraduodenal glucose was related directly to plasma intact glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide concentrations (r = 0.75, P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Sitagliptin increased the heart rate response to intraduodenal glucose infusion at 2 kcal/min in people with Type 2 diabetes, which was associated with augmentation of plasma intact glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide concentrations. These observations warrant further clarification of a potential role for glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide in the control of the 'gut-heart' axis.

Cystic fibrosis related diabetes--a new perspective on the optimal management of postprandial glycemia.

As the average life expectancy of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) improves, the long term co-morbidities assume increasing importance. CF related diabetes (CFRD) has adverse effects on both nutrition and pulmonary function, and is associated with increased mortality. Abnormalities of glucose metabolism in CF represent a continuum; however the predominant abnormality is postprandial, not pre-prandial, glycemia. Insulin is currently recommended as the treatment of choice for CFRD, but its use is associated with a number of limitations, including hypoglycemia. Both the rate of gastric emptying and the consequent release of the 'incretin' hormones, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1), from the gut are important determinants of overall glycemic control, particularly postprandial glycemia. Both are abnormal in conditions associated with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Incretin based therapies that have the capacity to slow gastric emptying and/or modulate the release of 'incretin' hormones, are now used widely in type 2 diabetes (T2D). This paper explores the determinants of glycemic control in CF, with a particular focus on the roles of gastric emptying and 'incretin' hormones, providing a rationale for the use of therapies that delay gastric emptying, including incretin mimetics, to minimize postprandial glycemia and improve nutritional status.

Challenges and opportunities for HSCT outcome registries: perspective from international HSCT registries experts.

Patient registries, frequently referred to as outcome registries, are 'organized systems' that use observational study methods to collect uniform data. Registries are used to evaluate specified outcomes for a population defined by a particular disease, condition or exposure that serves one or more predetermined scientific, clinical or policy purposes. Outcome registries were established very early in the development of hematopoietic SCT (HSCT). Currently, myriads of national and international HSCT registries collect information about HSCT activities and outcomes. These registries have contributed significantly to determining trends, patterns, treatment practices and outcomes. There are many different HSCT registries, each with different aims and goals; some are led by professional organizations, others by government authorities, health care providers or third parties. Some registries simply assess activity and others study outcomes. These registries are complementary and are gradually developing interoperability with each other to expand future collaborative research activities. A key development in the last few years was the incorporation of recommendations into the World Health Organization guiding principles on cell, tissue and organ transplantation. The data collection and analysis should be an integral part of therapy and an obligation rather than a choice for transplant programs. This article examines challenges in ensuring data quality and functions of outcome registries, using HSCT registries as an example. It applies to all HSCT-related data, but is predominantly focused on HSCT registries of professional organizations.

Endogenous amylin and glucagon-like peptide-1 concentrations are not associated with gastric emptying in critical illness.

BACKGROUND: In health, the hormones amylin and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) slow gastric emptying (GE) and modulate glycaemia. The aims of this study were to determine amylin and GLP-1 concentrations in the critically ill and their relationship with GE, glucose absorption and glycaemia. METHODS: In fasted critically ill and healthy subjects (n = 26 and 23 respectively), liquid nutrient, containing 100 mg (13) C-sodium octanoate and 3 g 3-O-methlyglucose (3-OMG), was administered via a nasogastric tube. Amylin, GLP-1, glucose and 3-OMG concentrations were measured in blood samples taken during fasting, and 30 min and 60 min after the 'meal'. Breath samples were taken to determine gastric emptying coefficient (GEC). Intolerance to intragastric feeding was defined as a gastric residual volume of ≥ 250 ml and/or vomiting within the 24 h prior to the study. RESULTS: Although GE was slower (GEC: critically ill 2.8 ± 0.9 vs. health, 3.4 ± 0.2; P = 0.002), fasting blood glucose was higher (7.0 ± 1.9 vs. 5.7 ± 0.2 mmol/l; P = 0.005) and overall glucose absorption was reduced in critically ill patients (3-OMG: 9.4 ± 8.0 vs. 17.7 ± 4.9 mmol/l.60 min; P < 0.001), there were no differences in fasting or postprandial amylin concentrations. Furthermore, although fasting [1.7 (0.4-7.2) vs. 0.7 (0.3-32.0) pmol/l; P = 0.04] and postprandial [3.0 (0.4-8.5) vs. 0.8 (0.4-34.3) pmol/l; P = 0.02] GLP-1 concentrations were increased in the critically ill and were greater in feed intolerant when compared with those tolerating feed [3.7 (0.4-7.2) vs. 1.2 (0.7-4.6) pmol/l; P = 0.02], there were no relationships between GE and fasting amylin or GLP-1 concentrations. CONCLUSION: In the critically ill, fasting GLP-1, but not amylin, concentrations are elevated and associated with feed intolerance. Neither amylin nor GLP-1 appears to substantially influence the rate of GE.

A randomised trial of enteric-coated nutrient pellets to stimulate gastrointestinal peptide release and lower glycaemia in type 2 diabetes.

AIMS/HYPOTHESES: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), an important mediator of postprandial glycaemia, could potentially be stimulated by delivering small quantities of nutrient to a long length of distal gut. We aimed to determine whether enteric-coated pellets, releasing small amounts of lauric acid throughout the ileum and colon, could reduce glycaemic responses to meals in type 2 diabetes, associated with stimulation of GLP-1. METHODS: Eligible patients, who had type 2 diabetes controlled by diet or metformin, were each studied on two occasions in a hospital setting. After an overnight fast, patients consumed 5 g active pellets (47% lauric acid by weight) or placebo with breakfast (T = 0 min) and lunch (T = 240 min), in a crossover design with order randomised by the hospital pharmacy and allocation concealed by numbered containers. Patients and investigators making measurements were blinded to the intervention. Blood was sampled frequently for blood glucose (the primary outcome) and hormone assays. RESULTS: Eight patients were randomised (four to receive either intervention first), and all completed the study without adverse effects. Blood glucose was lower after breakfast (T = 0-240 min, area under the curve (AUC) 2,075 ± 368 vs 2,216 ± 163 mmol/l × min) and lunch (T = 240-480 min, AUC 1,916 ± 115 vs 2,088 ± 151 mmol/l × min) (p = 0.02 for each) after active pellets than after placebo. Plasma GLP-1 concentrations were higher after breakfast (p = 0.08) and lunch (p = 0.04) for active pellets. While there were no differences in insulin or glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide concentrations, glucagon concentrations were higher after breakfast and lunch (p = 0.002 for each) for active pellets. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Delivering small amounts of nutrient to the ileum and colon can stimulate substantial endogenous GLP-1 release and attenuate postprandial glycaemia. This novel approach has therapeutic potential in type 2 diabetes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12612000600842. FUNDING: The study was funded by Meyer Nutriceuticals.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell donation-standardized assessment of donor outcome data: a consensus statement from the Worldwide Network for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (WBMT).

The number of allogeneic hematopoietic SCTs performed globally each year continues to increase, paralleled by an increased demand for donors of therapeutic cells. Donor characteristics and collection procedures have undergone major changes during recent decades, and further changes are foreseen. Information on short- and long-term donor outcomes is of crucial importance to ensure maximal donor safety and availability. Current data, predominantly from unrelated donors, give reliable information on the frequent early events associated with donation-most of them of mild-to-moderate intensity. Information on the type and relative risk of serious adverse reactions is more limited. Moreover, only few data exist on long-term donor outcome. On the basis of this need, recommendations for a minimum data set for prospective donor follow-up were developed in a workshop with the participation of an international group of investigators actively involved in allogeneic stem cell donation under the auspices of and approved by the Worldwide Network for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. Establishment of a standardized global follow-up for both, related and unrelated, donors will enable monitoring of the short- and long-term safety profiles of hematopoietic cell donation and form a solid basis for future donor selection and counseling.

The effects of sitagliptin on gastric emptying in healthy humans - a randomised, controlled study.

BACKGROUND: The rate of gastric emptying (GE) and subsequent release of the incretin hormones, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) are critical determinants of postprandial glycaemia in health and type 2 diabetes. Slowing of GE may be the dominant mechanism by which exogenous GLP-1, and some GLP-1 analogues, improve postprandial glycaemia. AIM: To determine the effect of sitagliptin on GE in healthy subjects, and the relationships between GE with glycaemia and incretin hormone secretion. METHODS: Fifteen volunteers (22.8 ± 0.7 years) were studied on two occasions following 2 days dosing with sitagliptin (100 mg/day) or placebo. GE (scintigraphy), glycaemia and plasma GLP-1 and GIP (total and intact), insulin and glucagon were measured for 240 min following a mashed potato meal (1808 kJ). RESULTS: There was no difference in GE between sitgaliptin and placebo [50% emptying time (T50): P = 0.4]. Mean blood glucose was slightly less (P = 0.02) on sitagliptin. Sitagliptin reduced plasma glucagon between 75 and 120 min (P < 0.05), and increased intact GLP-1 (P = 0.0002) and intact GIP (P = 0.0001) by approximately twofold, but reduced total GIP (P = 0.0003) and had no effect on total GLP-1 (P = 0.16) or insulin (P = 0.75). On sitagliptin the initial rise in blood glucose (r = -0.66, P = 0.008) and the intact GIP response (r = -0.66, P = 0.007) were inversely related, whereas the intact GLP-1 response was related directly (r = 0.52, P = 0.05) to the T50. CONCLUSIONS: While the effects of sitagliptin on glycaemic control are unlikely to relate to slowing of GE in healthy humans, the rate of GE is a significant determinant of postprandial glycaemia on sitagliptin.

No increased mortality from donor or recipient hepatitis B- and/or hepatitis C-positive serostatus after related-donor allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Limited data exist on allogeneic transplant outcomes in recipients receiving hematopoietic cells from donors with prior or current hepatitis B (HBV) or C virus (HCV) infection (seropositive donors), or for recipients with prior or current HBV or HCV infection (seropositive recipients). Transplant outcomes are reported for 416 recipients from 121 centers, who received a human leukocyte antigen-identical related-donor allogeneic transplant for hematologic malignancies between 1995 and 2003. Of these, 33 seronegative recipients received grafts from seropositive donors and 128 recipients were seropositive. The remaining 256 patients served as controls. With comparable median follow-up (cases, 5.9 years; controls, 6.7 years), the incidence of treatment-related mortality, survival, graft-versus-host disease, and hepatic toxicity, appears similar in all cohorts. The frequencies of hepatic toxicities as well as causes of death between cases and controls were similar. Prior exposure to HBV or HCV in either the donor or the recipient should not be considered an absolute contraindication to transplant.

Prognostic factors for outcomes in allogeneic transplantation for CML in the imatinib era: a CIBMTR analysis.

Allogeneic hematopoietic SCT is an effective treatment in accelerated (AP) or blast phase (BP) CML. Imatinib (IM) has transient but significant activity in advanced phases of CML, which may permit early allografting for responding patients. To identify prognostic factors in allograft recipients previously treated with IM, we analyzed 449 allogeneic hematopoietic SCTs performed from 1999 to 2004 in advanced-phase CML, using the data reported to the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research. CML patients in second chronic phase (CP2, n=184), AP (n=185) and BP (n=80) received HLA-identical sibling (27%), related (3%), or matched or mismatched unrelated donor (70%), peripheral blood (47%) or BM (53%) hematopoietic SCT after myeloablative (78%) or non-myeloablative (22%) conditioning. In all, 52% in CP2, 49% in AP and 46% in BP received IM before hematopoietic SCT. Disease-free survival was 35-40% for CP2, 26-27% for AP and 8-11% for BP. Cumulative incidence of acute and chronic GVHD and TRM were not affected by the stages of CML or pre-hematopoietic SCT IM exposure. Multivariate analyses showed that conventional prognostic indicators remain the strongest determinants of transplant outcomes. In conclusion, there are no new prognostic indicators of the outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic SCT for advanced-phase CML in the IM era.

Effects of variations in duodenal glucose load on glycaemic, insulin, and incretin responses in type 2 diabetes.

AIMS: Postprandial glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion and the 'incretin effect' have been reported to be deficient in Type 2 diabetes, but most studies have not controlled for variations in the rate of gastric emptying. We evaluated blood glucose, and plasma insulin, GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) responses to intraduodenal glucose in Type 2 diabetes, and compared these with data from healthy controls. METHODS: Eight males with well-controlled Type 2 diabetes, managed by diet alone, were studied on four occasions in single-blind, randomized order. Blood glucose, and plasma insulin, GLP-1, and GIP were measured during 120-min intraduodenal glucose infusions at 1 kcal/min (G1), 2 kcal/min (G2) and 4 kcal/min (G4) or saline control. RESULTS: Type 2 patients had higher basal (P < 0.0005) and incremental (P < 0.0005) blood glucose responses to G2 and G4, when compared with healthy controls. In both groups, the stimulation of insulin and GLP-1 by increasing glucose loads was not linear; responses to G1 and G2 were minimal, whereas responses to G4 were much greater (P < 0.005 for each) (incremental area under the GLP-1 curve 224 ± 65, 756 ± 331 and 2807 ± 473 pmol/l.min, respectively, in Type 2 patients and 373 ± 231, 505 ± 161 and 1742 ± 456 pmol/l.min, respectively, in healthy controls). The GLP-1 responses appeared comparable in the two groups. In both groups there was a load-dependent increase in plasma GIP with no difference between them. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with well-controlled Type 2 diabetes, blood glucose, insulin and GLP-1 responses are critically dependent on the small intestinal glucose load, and GLP-1 responses are not deficient.