Hormonal
Activation of the GLP-1 receptor promotes pancreatic beta-cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis, leading to expanded beta-cell mass and improved glucose tolerance in diabetic animal models.
GLP-1 based therapies (like exendin-4 or liraglutide) do more than just lower blood sugar; they appear to help the pancreas grow more insulin-producing cells and protect existing ones from dying in diabetic animal models. This suggests a potential disease-modifying benefit beyond glucose control.
Acute or chronic administration of either GLP-1 or of its degradation-resistant analogs increases beta-cell mass by up to 2-fold in normal or diabetic mice... GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists enhance beta-cell mass in aged, glucose-intolerant rats... GLP-1R agonists such as exendin-4 also prevent or delay the development of diabetes in db/db mice and Goto-Kakizaki rats... in association with enhancement of beta-cell mass
Why this rating
The paper is a minireview summarizing multiple in vivo animal studies and some in vitro human islet data; it is not a single clinical trial but aggregates strong preclinical evidence.
Source
Minireview: Glucagon-Like Peptides Regulate Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis in the Pancreas, Gut, and Central Nervous System
Patricia L. Brubaker et al. · Endocrinology · 2004
DOI 10.1210/en.2004-0015
More from this paper
- GLP-1 receptor activation inhibits beta-cell apoptosis through cAMP/PKA and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways, protecting beta-cells from cytokine and fatty acid-induced death.Good
- GLP-2 administration promotes intestinal epithelial proliferation and regeneration, reducing apoptosis and improving outcomes in models of intestinal injury such as enteritis and mucositis.Good
Related findings · Hormonal
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