Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2026

Study of In Vivo Glucose Metabolism in High-fat Diet-fed Mice Using Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) and Insulin Tolerance Test (ITT)
Published on: January 7, 2018
Gastrointestinal tract as a target organ for orally administered insulin
Naim Shehadeh1, Igor Sukhotnik, Raanan Shamir
1Department of Pediatrics A, Meyer Children's Hospital of Haifa, Haifa, Israel. n_shehadeh@rambam.health.gov.il
Abstract:
The intestine is not considered to be a classic target tissue for insulin. Recent in vitro and in vivo experiments suggest that intestinal as well as systemic effects are observed following oral administration of insulin. Local effects include enhancement of intestinal growth, cell maturation, enzyme expression, gut adaptation after intestinal resection and reduction of intestinal permeability. Systemic effects, at least in animal models, include favorable effects on blood glucose and lipid profile and on the prevention of autoimmunity and attenuating the atherosclerotic process.
Related Concept Videos
Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists
GLP-1, when administered in high doses intravenously, triggers insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and restores normal insulin secretion. However, its rapid inactivation by the...
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: α-Glucosidase Inhibitors
Acarbose and miglitol are typically...
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Glinides
Glucose Absorption Into the Small Intestine
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Sulfonylureas

