TY - JOUR

T1 - The Gut

T2 - A Key to the Pathogenesis of Type 2 Diabetes?

AU - Holst, Jens Juul

AU - Pedersen, Jens

AU - Wewer Albrechtsen, Nicolai Jacob

AU - Knop, Filip Krag

PY - 2017/8

Y1 - 2017/8

N2 - In this communication we discuss the role of the gut for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Gastric emptying rates importantly determine postprandial glucose excursions and regulate postprandial secretion of the incretin hormones, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). It thereby also determines their powerful, amplifying effect on glucose-induced insulin secretion and thus the ability of the body to regulate glucose disposal. Although disturbances in gastric emptying are not consistent findings in type 2 diabetes, the incretin system is seriously impaired, probably associated with insulin resistance and obesity. Both of the incretin hormones lose (part of) their insulinotropic activity resulting, together with (genetically) defective beta cell function, in the impaired postprandial insulin secretion of T2DM. In addition, glucagon responses are inappropriately increased and importantly contribute to both fasting and postprandial hyperglycemia. This may involve stimulation by GIP, but evidence also points to a role of circulating amino acids, which are elevated due to steatosis-induced impaired glucagon-mediated hepatic clearance, in line with recent work suggesting that the alpha cells and the liver are linked in a close, amino acid-mediated feedback circuit. Thus, the gut plays an important role in the development of T2DM spurred by overeating and defective beta cells.

AB - In this communication we discuss the role of the gut for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Gastric emptying rates importantly determine postprandial glucose excursions and regulate postprandial secretion of the incretin hormones, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). It thereby also determines their powerful, amplifying effect on glucose-induced insulin secretion and thus the ability of the body to regulate glucose disposal. Although disturbances in gastric emptying are not consistent findings in type 2 diabetes, the incretin system is seriously impaired, probably associated with insulin resistance and obesity. Both of the incretin hormones lose (part of) their insulinotropic activity resulting, together with (genetically) defective beta cell function, in the impaired postprandial insulin secretion of T2DM. In addition, glucagon responses are inappropriately increased and importantly contribute to both fasting and postprandial hyperglycemia. This may involve stimulation by GIP, but evidence also points to a role of circulating amino acids, which are elevated due to steatosis-induced impaired glucagon-mediated hepatic clearance, in line with recent work suggesting that the alpha cells and the liver are linked in a close, amino acid-mediated feedback circuit. Thus, the gut plays an important role in the development of T2DM spurred by overeating and defective beta cells.

KW - Journal Article

U2 - 10.1089/met.2017.0015

DO - 10.1089/met.2017.0015

M3 - Review

C2 - 28605280

VL - 15

SP - 259

EP - 262

JO - Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders

JF - Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders

SN - 1540-4196

IS - 6

ER -