The role of incretin hormones and glucagon in patients with liver disease.

In conclusion, our studies offer important information regarding the pathophysiology of glucose intolerance in patients with liver disease. We demonstrate that patients with NAFLD, in spite of normal glucose tolerance, have reduced incretin effect that is further aggravated by type 2 diabetes. We also find fasting hyperglucagonaemia in NAFLD patients, independently of type 2 diabetes. We show that cirrhosis is associated with impaired handling of oral glucose and reduced incretin effect. Finally, we find a preserved glucagonostatic effect of GLP-1 in patients with NAFLD, in spite of their hyperglucagonaemia. In light of our findings, the insulinotropic and glucagonostatic effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists might prove beneficial in patients with liver disease. PMID: 28552096 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Danish Medical Journal - Category: General Medicine Tags: Dan Med J Source Type: research