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1: Horm Metab Res. 2004 Nov-Dec;36(11-12):742-6.Click here to read Links

Overview of incretin hormones.

Efendic S, Portwood N.

Department of Molecular Medicine, The Endocrine and Diabetes Unit, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden. Suad.Efendic@molmed.ki.se

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.

PMID: 15655702 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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    Glucagon is a hormone produced in the pancreas. Glucagon is used to raise very low blood sugar. Glucagon is also used in diagnostic testing of the stomach and other digestive organs.

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