Glucagon - like peptide 1 : new therapies for Type 2 diabetes

June 2004 Volume 49 Issue 2 If GIP and GLP-1 are missing or inactive, the release of insulin is reduced, and a higher rise in blood glucose levels will therefore be expected. In people with Type 2 diabetes, the hormone GIP no longer acts on insulin release and/or blood glucose.The exact reasons are not known.2 In contrast, GLP-1 is able to normalize the levels of blood glucose in Type 2 diabetes through several mechanisms: the release of insulin is stimulated the release of glucagon (a hormone that raises glucose concentration) is suppressed gastric emptying is decelerated, slowing the entry of nutrients into the circulation appetite and caloric intake are reduced the growth of insulin-producing beta cells is stimulated in the pancreas.3