Preserved GLP-1 and exaggerated GIP secretion in type 2 diabetes and relationships with triglycerides and ALT

ObjectiveTo i) compare incretin responses to oral glucose and mixed meal of diabetic patients with the normoglycaemic population and ii) to investigate whether incretin responses are associated with hypertriglyceridaemia and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) as liver fat marker.DesignA population-based study.MethodsA total of 163 persons with normal glucose metabolism (NGM), 20 with intermediate hyperglycaemia and 20 with type 2 diabetes aged 40–65 years participated. Participants received a mixed meal and oral glucose load on separate occasions. Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon profiles were analysed as total area under the curve (tAUC) and incremental area under the curve.ResultsIn diabetic patients compared with persons with NGM, we found increased GLP-1 secretion (tAUC per hour) following oral glucose (23.2 pmol/l (95% CI 17.7–28.7) vs 18.0 (95% CI 16.9–19.1), PPConclusionThis study confirms that in type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 secretion is generally preserved and that GIP secretion is exaggerated. The mechanism underlying the divergent associations of GLP-1 and GIP metabolism with fat metabolism and liver fat accumulation warrants further study.