The role of physiological elevations of glucagon-like peptide-one in glucose regulation in the dog in vivo

Abstract

Glucagon-like peptide-one (GLP-1) secreted from the endocrine L cell in the gut after a meal results in elevations of the peptide in arterial blood, the hepatic portal vein (~2x arterial levels) and vasculature in the gut directly surrounding the site of secretion (~4x arterial levels). An intraportal physiological bolus of GLP-1 increases afferent vagal signaling from the hepatoportal region, which could initiate the gluco-regulatory effects of GLP-1. In Specific Aim I, hyperglycemia was induced with a combination of peripheral and intraportal glucose infusions in the 42 h fasted conscious dog. GLP-1 was given intraportally or into the hepatic artery in physiologic amounts. Intraportal, but not hepatic artery, GLP-1 delivery significantly increased nonhepatic glucose uptake relative to that observed in saline infused control dogs, without altering pancreatic hormone levels. In Specific Aim II, GLP-1 or saline was infused intraportally in 42 h fasted conscious dogs, and hyperglycemia was induced by peripheral glucose infusion, alone. Under these conditions, GLP-1 did not alter pancreatic hormone levels or glucose utilization. In Specific Aim III, dogs were fasted for 18 h to increase ƒÒ-cell responsiveness and insulin sensitivity. GLP-1 or saline was infused intraportally, and hyperglycemia was induced by a combination of intraportal and peripheral glucose infusion. GLP-1 had no effect despite the presence of a portal vein glucose infusion. In Specific Aim IV, dogs were administered a mixed meal in the presence or absence of exendin (9-39), a GLP-1R antagonist. Blocking postprandial GLP-1 action resulted in expedited gastric emptying for about 2 h which ultimately increased peripheral glycemia in both normal and insulin resistant dogs. Blocking postprandial GLP-1 action did not enhance the incretin effect in either group of animals. In conclusion we found that in the dog 1) GLP-1R activation is not responsible for the incretin effect, 2) the dominant effect of postprandial GLP-1 secretion is slowed gastric emptying, 3) GLP-1 has a small direct effect on the liver, and 4) intraportally delivered GLP-1 induces increased nonhepatic glucose uptake under conditions that mimic a meal.