The evolving story of incretins (GIP and GLP‐1) in metabolic and cardiovascular disease: A pathophysiological update

Abstract

The incretin hormones glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) have their main physiological role in augmenting insulin secretion after their nutrient‐induced secretion from the gut. A functioning entero‐insular (gut‐endocrine pancreas) axis is essential for the maintenance of a normal glucose tolerance. This is exemplified by the incretin effect (greater insulin secretory response to oral as compared to “isoglycaemic” intravenous glucose administration due to the secretion and action of incretin hormones). GIP and GLP‐1 have additive effects on insulin secretion. Local production of GIP and/or GLP‐1 in islet α‐cells (instead of enteroendocrine K and L cells) has been observed, and its significance is still unclear. GLP‐1 suppresses, and GIP increases glucagon secretion, both in a glucose‐dependent manner. GIP plays a greater physiological role as an incretin. In type 2‐diabetic patients, the incretin effect is reduced despite more or less normal secretion of GIP and GLP‐1. While insulinotropic effects of GLP‐1 are only slightly impaired in type 2 diabetes, GIP has lost much of its acute insulinotropic activity in type 2 diabetes, for largely unknown reasons. Besides their role in glucose homoeostasis, the incretin hormones GIP and GLP‐1 have additional biological functions: GLP‐1 at pharmacological concentrations reduces appetite, food intake, and—in the long run—body weight, and a similar role is evolving for GIP, at least in animal studies. Human studies, however, do not confirm these findings. GIP, but not GLP‐1 increases triglyceride storage in white adipose tissue not only through stimulating insulin secretion, but also by interacting with regional blood vessels and GIP receptors. GIP, and to a lesser degree GLP‐1, play a role in bone remodelling. GLP‐1, but not GIP slows gastric emptying, which reduces post‐meal glycaemic increments. For both GIP and GLP‐1, beneficial effects on cardiovascular complications and neurodegenerative central nervous system (CNS) disorders have been observed, pointing to therapeutic potential over and above improving diabetes complications. The recent finding that GIP/GLP‐1 receptor co‐agonists like tirzepatide have superior efficacy compared to selective GLP‐1 receptor agonists with respect to glycaemic control as well as body weight has renewed interest in GIP, which previously was thought to be without any therapeutic potential. One focus of this research is into the long‐term interaction of GIP and GLP‐1 receptor signalling. A GLP‐1 receptor antagonist (exendin [9‐39]) and, more recently, a GIP receptor agonist (GIP [3‐30] NH2) and, hopefully, longer‐acting GIP receptor agonists for human use will be helpful tools to shed light on the open questions. A detailed knowledge of incretin physiology and pathophysiology will be a prerequisite for designing more effective incretin‐based diabetes drugs.