Incretin

Common card · No. 326960

Incretins are a group of peptide metabolic hormones that decrease blood glucose levels. Incretins are released after eating and augment the secretion of insulin released from pancreatic beta cells of the islets of Langerhans by a blood-glucose–dependent mechanism. Incretins such as GLP-1 inhibit glucagon release from the alpha cells of the islets of Langerhans. In addition, they slow the rate of absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream by reducing gastric emptying and may reduce food intake. The two main peptides that fulfill criteria for an incretin are the intestinal peptide glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP, also known as: glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide). GIP is produced and secreted into the blood by K cells located in the mucosa of the upper gastrointestinal tract's duodenum and upper jejunum while GLP1 is produced and secreted into the blood by L cells located in the mucosa of the lower gastrointestinal tracts small and large intestines...

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