§ Glossary · biology

Incretin

Gut-derived hormones (GLP-1, GIP) that stimulate post-meal insulin secretion.

Incretins are gut hormones secreted in response to nutrient ingestion that augment glucose-dependent insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells. The two principal incretins are GLP-1 (from intestinal L-cells) and GIP (from intestinal K-cells). The 'incretin effect' — the observation that oral glucose produces a much larger insulin response than intravenous glucose at matched plasma levels — is mediated by these hormones. Incretin-based research compounds form one of the largest classes of metabolic-disease drugs (semaglutide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, tirzepatide, retatrutide).

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