Normal secretion and action of the gut incretin hormones glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide in young men with low birth weight.
BACKGROUND
Low birth weight (LBW) is associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. An impaired incretin effect was reported previously in type 2 diabetic patients.


OBJECTIVE
We studied the secretion and action of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) in young LBW men (n = 24) and matched normal birth weight controls (NBW) (n = 25).


RESULTS
LBW subjects were 5 cm shorter but had a body mass index similar to NBW. LBW subjects had significantly elevated fasting and postprandial plasma glucose, as well as postprandial (standard meal test) plasma insulin and C-peptide concentrations, suggestive of insulin resistance. Insulin secretion in response to changes in glucose concentration ("beta-cell responsiveness") during the meal test was similar in LBW and NBW but inappropriate in LBW relative to insulin sensitivity. Fasting and postprandial plasma GLP-1 and GIP levels were similar in the groups. First- and second-phase insulin responses were similar in LBW and NBW during a hyperglycemic clamp (7 mm) with infusion of GLP-1 or GIP, respectively, demonstrating normal action of these hormones on insulin secretion.


CONCLUSIONS
Reduced secretion or action of GLP-1 or GIP does not explain a relative reduced beta-cell responsiveness to glucose or the slightly elevated plasma glucose concentrations observed in young LBW men.
Schou
Jakob Hagen
JH
Steno Diabetes Center, Niels Steensens Vej 2, 2820 Gentofte, Denmark. oranje@tiscali.dk
Pilgaard
Kasper
K
Vilsbøll
Tina
T
Jensen
Christine B
CB
Deacon
Carolyn F
CF
Holst
Jens Juul
JJ
Vølund
Aage
A
Madsbad
Sten
S
Vaag
Allan A
AA
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002096:C-Peptide / Q000097:blood; D004435:Eating; D005749:Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D005934:Glucagon / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; D015309:Glucose Clamp Technique; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000378:metabolism*; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D002096:C-Peptide; D007328:Insulin; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011498:Protein Precursors; D005749:Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; D005934:Glucagon