Diabetes remission following metabolic surgery: is GLP-1 the culprit?

The parallel occurrence of improved glucose tolerance and increased glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) response to meal intake following metabolic surgery (MS) demonstrated in several studies has led to the notion that GLP-1 is the culprit for the impressive rates of remission of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) following MS. In this article, we critically review current evidence supporting this view. Recent studies specifically designed to elucidate a causative role of GLP-1 in the antidiabetic effects of MS call into question GLP-1 as a key player for T2DM outcome following MS procedures such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy in morbidly obese subjects. Whether GLP-1 plays a more prominent role in the remission of T2DM following MS in subjects with moderate obesity warrants further studies. Appraisal of the mechanisms involved in the amelioration of hyperglycemia following MS is a priority, as it could help in the battle against the current combined epidemics of obesity and T2DM.