Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 3, 2025

Live Images of GLUT4 Protein Trafficking in Mouse Primary Hypothalamic Neurons Using Deconvolution Microscopy
Published on: December 7, 2017
Incretin Hypersecretion in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Louise Fritsche1,2, Martin Heni1,2,3,4, Sabine S Eckstein1,2
1Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
Context:
Incretins are crucial stimulators of insulin secretion following food intake. Data on incretin secretion and action during pregnancy are sparse.
Objective:
The aim of the study was to investigate the incretin response during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in pregnant women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
Design:
We analyzed data from the ongoing observational PREG study (NCT04270578).
Setting:
The study was conducted at the University Hospital Tübingen.
Participants:
We examined 167 women (33 with GDM) during gestational week 27 ± 2.2.
Intervention:
Subjects underwent 5-point OGTT with a 75-g glucose load.
Main Outcome Measures:
We assessed insulin secretion and levels of total glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP), glicentin, and glucagon during OGTT. Linear regression was used to analyze the relation of GLP-1 and glucose with insulin secretion and the association of incretin levels on birth outcome.
Results:
Insulin secretion was significantly lower in women with GDM (P < 0.001). Postload GLP-1 and GIP were ~20% higher in women with GDM (all P < 0.05) independent of age, body mass index, and gestational age. GLP-1 increase was associated with insulin secretion only in GDM, but not in normal glucose tolerance. Postprandial GLP-1 levels were negatively associated with birth weight.
Conclusions:
The more pronounced GLP-1 increase in women with GDM could be part of a compensatory mechanism counteracting GLP-1 resistance. Higher GLP-1 levels might be protective against fetal overgrowth.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
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...
Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors
Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion
Insulin and C-peptide are...
Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...

