PHD THESIS DANISH MEDICAL BULLETIN Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide (GIP): From prohormone to actions in endocrine pancreas and adipose tissue Randi Ugleholdt The two incretins, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glu- This review has been accepted as a thesis with two original papers by University of cose dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (gastric inhibitory Copenhagen 14th of December 2009 and defended on 28th of January 2010 peptide, GIP) have long been recognized as important gut hor- mones, essential for normal glucose homeostasis. Plasma levels Tutor: Jens Juul Holst of GLP-1 and GIP rise within minutes of food intake and stimulate Official opponents: Jens Frederik Rehfeld, Baptist Gallwitz & Thure Krarup pancreatic β-cells to release insulin in a glucose-dependent man- ner. This entero-insular interaction is called the incretin effect and Correspondence: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cellular and Metabolic Re- search Section, University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health Sciences, Blegdamsvej accounts for up to 70% of the meal induced insulin release in man 3B build. 12.2, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark and via this incretin effect, the gut hormones facilitate the uptake of glucose in muscle, liver and adipose tissue (2). Although the E-mail:
[email protected] pancreatic effects of these two gut hormones have been the target of extensive investigation both hormones also have nu- merous extrapancreatic effects. Thus, GLP-1 decreases gastric Dan Med Bull 2011;58:(12)B4368 emptying and acid secretion and affects appetite by increasing fullness and satiety thereby decreasing food intake and, if main- THE TWO ORIGINAL PAPERS ARE tained at supraphysiologic levels, eventually body weight (3).