INSULINOTROPIC GLUCAGON-LIKE PEPTIDE-I(7-37)/(7-36)AMIDE - A NEW INCRETIN HORMONE

Intestinal peptide hormones, released into circulation in response to a meal, are important augmentors of the postprandial insulin release stimulated by absorbed nutrients. In this "incretin concept" glucagon-like peptide I(7-37) plays a major role because it is the most powerful glucose-dependent insulin secretagogue described so far. Glucagonlike peptide 1(7-37) also stimulates proinsulin gene expression and proinsulin biosynthesis in insulinoma cells, and it may be involved in the regulation of the intracellular insulin pool of the B cell. Recent studies show elevated levels of glucagonlike peptide 1(7-37) in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The physiology and pathophysiology of the enteroinsular axis is a promising field of basic and clinical research that has a relevance to diabetes mellitus.