[The entero-insular axis: the new incretin candidate glucagon-like peptide-1(7-36)amide (GLP-1(7-36))amide].

The functional connection between the gut and pancreatic islets is described by the term "enteroinsular axis". A humoral factor of the gut that might enhance the glucose-induced secretion of insulin is named "incretin". For many years glucose-dependent insulin-releasing polypeptide (GIP) was the strongest incretin candidate. However, recent evidence suggests that glucagon-like peptide-1(7-36)amide represents a more potent physiological incretin. The sequence of GLP-1 is identical in various mammals including man. The 7-36 sequence of the original peptide is a potent insulin-releasing peptide in vitro and in vivo. GLP-1(7-36)amide was found in the human bowel; its circulating level rises in answer to oral glucose and after meals. Recently, specific high-affinity binding sites for GLP-1(7-36)amide were demonstrated on rat insulinoma-derived RINm5F cells. In this model system for B-cell studies the peptide has potent stimulatory effects on cAMP formation, insulin-mRNA transcript synthesis, and insulin release. Further studies in the insulinotropic action of GLP-1(7-36) amide in health and disease will be of great importance.