Physiology and therapeutic insights of incretins in 2026: An update
Abstract
It has been shown that for identical increases in plasma glucose levels, the insulin response was greater when glucose was ingested orally compared with intravenous injection. This indicates that, in addition to glucose interacting with beta cells in the islets of Langerhans, gut-derived factors were released to stimulate insulin secretion. In humans, two peptide hormones, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), have been identified as responsible for this ''incretin'' effect. GLP-1 and GIP are secreted in response to food intake and enhance the glucose-induced insulin response. These peptides also decrease food intake through a dual mechanism: central, acting on the appetite regulation centres, and peripheral, acting on gastric emptying. Due to their metabolic effects, incretin receptor agonists have been developed for therapeutic purposes, initially with GLP-1 receptor agonists, then with dual GLP-1 receptor and GIP receptor agonists in diabetes and obesity. These agonists have additional benefits, particularly on the cardiovascular system, which may be independent of their effect on weight and blood glucose control. This review article provides an update of physiologic and therapeutic insights of incretins.
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BibTeX
@article{hirlemann2026physiology,
title = {{Physiology and therapeutic insights of incretins in 2026: An update}},
author = {Mélanie Hirlemann and Aurélie Phan and Claire Mots Carette and Johanne Le Beyec Le Bihan and Séverine Ledoux and Maude Le Gall},
journal = {Cahiers de Nutrition et de Diététique},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.cnd.2026.08.106},
url = {https://inserm.hal.science/inserm-05797386v1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Physiology and therapeutic insights of incretins in 2026: An update
AU - Mélanie Hirlemann
AU - Aurélie Phan
AU - Claire Mots Carette
AU - Johanne Le Beyec Le Bihan
AU - Séverine Ledoux
AU - Maude Le Gall
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/13
JO - Cahiers de Nutrition et de Diététique
DO - 10.1016/j.cnd.2026.08.106
UR - https://inserm.hal.science/inserm-05797386v1
AB - It has been shown that for identical increases in plasma glucose levels, the insulin response was greater when glucose was ingested orally compared with intravenous injection. This indicates that, in addition to glucose interacting with beta cells in the islets of Langerhans, gut-derived factors were released to stimulate insulin secretion. In humans, two peptide hormones, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), have been identified as responsible for this ''incretin'' effect. GLP-1 and GIP are secreted in response to food intake and enhance the glucose-induced insulin response. These peptides also decrease food intake through a dual mechanism: central, acting on the appetite regulation centres, and peripheral, acting on gastric emptying. Due to their metabolic effects, incretin receptor agonists have been developed for therapeutic purposes, initially with GLP-1 receptor agonists, then with dual GLP-1 receptor and GIP receptor agonists in diabetes and obesity. These agonists have additional benefits, particularly on the cardiovascular system, which may be independent of their effect on weight and blood glucose control. This review article provides an update of physiologic and therapeutic insights of incretins.
SN - 0007-9960
ER -