Characterization of GLP-1 Effects on β-Cell Function After Meal Ingestion in Humans

OBJECTIVE—Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is an incretin that augments insulin secretion after meal intake and is developed for treatment of type 2 diabetes. As a novel therapeutic agent, characteristics of its β-cell effects are important to establish. Previously, β-cell effects of GLP-1 have been characterized in humans during graded intravenous infusions of glucose, whereas its effects after more physiological stimuli, like meal intake, are not known. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Eight women (aged 69 years, fasting glucose 3.7–10.3 mmol/l, BMI 22.4–43.9 kg/m2) who had fasted overnight were served a breakfast (450 kcal) with intravenous infusion of saline or synthetic GLP-1 (0.75 pmol · kg–1 · min–1), and β-cell function was evaluated by estimating the relationship between glucose concentration and insulin secretion (calculated by deconvolution of C-peptide data). RESULTS—GLP-1 markedly augmented insulin secretion, despite lower glucose. Total insulin secretion was 29.7 ± 4.2 nmol/m2 with GLP-1 versus 21.0 ± 1.6 nmol/m2 with saline (P = 0.048). GLP-1 increased the dose-response relationship between glucose concentration and insulin secretion (70 ± 26 with GLP-1 versus 38 ± 16 pmol insulin · min−1 · m2 · mmol−1 glucose · l without, P = 0.037) and augmented the potentiation factor that modulates the dose response (2.71 ± 0.42 with GLP-1 versus 0.97 ± 0.17 without, P = 0.005). The potentiation factor correlated to GLP-1 concentration (r = 0.53, P < 0.001); a 10-fold increase in GLP-1 levels produced a twofold increase in the potentiation factor. These effects of GLP-1 did not correlate with fasting glucose levels or BMI. CONCLUSIONS—Administration of GLP-1 along with ingestion of a meal augments insulin secretion in humans by a dose-dependent potentiation of the dose-response relationship between plasma glucose and insulin secretion

Study on administration of 1,5-anhydro-D-fructose in C57BL/6J mice challenged with high-fat diet

1,5-Anhydro-D-fructose (AF) is a mono-saccharide directly formed from starch and glycogen by the action of α-1,4-glucan lyase (EC 4.2.2.13). Our previous study has indicated that AF increases glucose tolerance and insulin secretion in NMRI mice after administration through a gastric gavage in a single dose at 150 mg per mouse. In this study, we used high-fat feeding of C57BL/6J mice to examine the influence of long-term administration of AF on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in vivo and in vitro. We found that 8-weeks of high-fat feeding increased body weight, fasting blood glucose and insulin levels in C57BL/6J mice when compared to mice fed normal diet. Impaired glucose tolerance was also observed in mice receiving 8-weeks of high-fat diet. In contrast, AF (1.5 g/kg/day), administered through drinking water for 8-weeks, did not affect body weight or food and water intake in mice fed either the high-fat or normal diet. There was no difference in basal blood glucose or insulin levels between AF-treated and control group. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) showed that AF did not affect glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in mice. In in vitro studies with isolated islets, AF did not influence glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in mice receiving either high-fat or normal diet. We therefore conclude that when given through drinking water for 8 weeks at 1.5 g/kg/day, AF has no effect on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in C57BL/6J mice challenged with a high-fat diet

Human Islet Amyloid Polypeptide Transgenic Mice: In Vivo and Ex Vivo Models for the Role of hIAPP in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP), a pancreatic islet protein of 37 amino acids, is the main component of islet amyloid, seen at autopsy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). To investigate the roles of hIAPP and islet amyloid in DM2, we generated transgenic mice expressing hIAPP in their islet beta cells. In this study, we found that after a long-term, high-fat diet challenge islet amyloid was observed in only 4 of 19 hIAPP transgenic mice. hIAPP transgenic females exhibited severe glucose intolerance, which was associated with a downregulation of GLUT-2 mRNA expression. In isolated islets from hIAPP males cultured for 3 weeks on high-glucose medium, the percentage of amyloid containing islets increased from 5.5% to 70%. This ex vivo system will allow a more rapid, convenient, and specific study of factors influencing islet amyloidosis as well as of therapeutic strategies to interfere with this pathological process

Repeated genomic signatures of adaptation to urbanisation in a songbird across Europe

Urbanisation is currently increasing worldwide, and there is now ample evidence of phenotypic changes in wild organisms in response to this novel environment, but the extent to which this adaptation is due to genetic changes is poorly understood. Current evidence for evolution is based on localised studies, and thus lacking replicability. Here, we genotyped great tits (Parus major) from nine cities across Europe, each paired with a rural site, and provide evidence of repeated polygenic responses to urban habitats. In addition, we show that selective sweeps occurred in response to urbanisation within the same genes across multiple cities. These genetic responses were mostly associated with genes related to neural function and development, demonstrating that genetic adaptation to urbanisation occurred around the same pathways in wildlife populations across a large geographical scale.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest

Emerging role of insulin with incretin therapies for management of type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a progressive disease warranting intensification of treatment, as beta-cell function declines over time. Current treatment algorithms recommend metformin as the first-line agent, while advocating the addition of either basal-bolus or premixed insulin as the final level of intervention. Incretin therapy, including incretin mimetics or enhancers, are the latest group of drugs available for treatment of T2DM. These agents act through the incretin axis, are currently recommended as add-on agents either as second-or third-line treatment, without concurrent use of insulin. Given the novel role of incretin therapy in terms of reducing postprandial hyperglycemia, and favorable effects on weight with reduced incidence of hypoglycemia, we explore alternative options for incretin therapy in T2DM management. Furthermore, as some evidence alludes to incretins potentially increasing betacell mass and altering disease progression, we propose introducing these agents earlier in the treatment algorithm. In addition, we suggest the concurrent use of incretins with insulin, given the favorable effects especially in relation to weight gain