Plasma Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Levels in Nigerians with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional...

There is a rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in sub-Saharan Africa associated with unhealthy lifestyles, overweight/obesity, and physical inactivity. There is a dearth of studies on plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels among Nigerians newly diagnosed with T2DM.

To compare mean basal and postprandial plasma GLP-1 levels among Nigerians with newly diagnosed T2DM and healthy controls.

A cross-sectional descriptive study of plasma GLP-1, anthropometric indices, blood pressure, pre- and post-prandial glucose, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels of newly diagnosed T2DM patients (n=100) and healthy controls matched for age and sex (n=100).

We measured the plasma concentrations of GLP-1 at baseline after an overnight fast and 2 hours after a mixed breakfast meal (560kcal). In comparison with the controls, newly diagnosed T2DM subjects had mean fasting and 2-hour post-test meal GLP-1 values that were lower (6.34±4.03 vs. 9.68±5.01pmol/l and 12.19±7.73 vs. 16.28±6.39pmol/l, p<0.001 respectively). Compared to patients with normal glucose tolerance, subjects with newly diagnosed T2DM showed decreased GLP-1 levels during fasting and two hours after meals.

We found lower mean GLP-1 levels among newly diagnosed Nigerians with T2DM than healthy subjects in fasting and two-hour post-meal states. Incretin-based pharmacologic treatment of type 2 DM may have a place in the current management of T2DM in Nigeria.