Insulinotropic pathway

The insulinotropic pathway encompasses physiological processes by which certain gut-derived hormones, notably glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), increase insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells in response to nutrient ingestion, particularly oral glucose. This pathway is central to the incretin effect, which describes the observation that oral glucose triggers more robust insulin release than intravenous glucose. Pharmacological targeting of these pathways is a major strategy in the treatment of type 2 diabetes[1][2][3][4].

Other names

insulinotropic processincretin pathwayincretin effect pathway

Enhanced or mimicked incretin action (increased insulin secretion in response to oral glucose), inhibition of DPP-4 (prolongs endogenous incretin activity), direct stimulation of incretin receptors