Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 and Diabetes 2012

The present special issue was aimed at elucidating the role and the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in type 2 diabetes. GLP-1 is a gastrointestinal hormone, mainly secreted after meals, capable of increasing glucose-stimulated insulin release and inhibits food intake. The physiological activity of this hormone has been demonstrated to be impaired in obese subjects and in patients with type 2 diabetes in comparison with healthy subjects. Available data suggest that GLP-1 plays a relevant role in the regulation of postprandial glucose metabolism in physiologic conditions. Several new drugs act through the GLP1 signaling system to stimulate insulin release and regulate blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes. Therefore, a special issue exploring the physiological properties of GLP1 and the possible applications in several clinical settings is particularly warranted. This special issue is composed of 5 articles: two mechanistic studies and three systematic reviews and metaanalyses, exploring GLP-1-induced signaling mechanisms and molecular identification and cloning of the GLP-1 receptor. The reviews and meta-analyses are focused on the promising beneficial extraglycaemic effects of the incretinbased therapy, including those on lipid profile and cardiovascular risk.