Diabetologia
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The gut hormone, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a potent insulin secretogogue with potential as a therapy for non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). GLP-1 has been shown to reduce glucose concentrations, both basally, and, independently, in response to a single meal. For it to be an effective treatment, it would need to be administered as a long-acting therapy, but this might not be feasible due to the profound delay in gastric emptying induced by GLP-1. ⋯ GLP-1 improved beta-cell function in the basal state from 62 (13-102) to 116 (46-180) %beta (p < 0.02) and following breakfast from 57 (19-185) to 113 (31-494) pmol/mmol (p < 0.02). GLP-1 only given overnight did not improve the glucose responses to meals the next day. In conclusion, continuous infusion of GLP-1 markedly reduced diurnal glucose concentrations, suggesting that continuous GLP-1 administration may be as useful therapy in NIDDM.