Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 8, 2026

Important Endpoints and Proliferative Markers to Assess Small Intestinal Injury and Adaptation using a Mouse Model of Chemotherapy-Induced Mucositis
07:05

Important Endpoints and Proliferative Markers to Assess Small Intestinal Injury and Adaptation using a Mouse Model of Chemotherapy-Induced Mucositis

Published on: May 12, 2019

6.5K

Pediatric reference values for glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP),

Trine Witzner Hessel Lawaetz1, Amalie Dalgas-Madsen1,2, Freja Cecilie Barrett Mørk1

  • 1Department of Clinical Translational Research, Translational Type 1 Diabetes Research, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark.

Pediatric Research
|December 23, 2025
PubMed

Insights

This study establishes the first age- and sex-specific reference values for incretin hormones (GLP-1, GIP) and glucagon in children. These findings are crucial for understanding pediatric metabolic health and identifying potential biomarkers for metabolic disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Health Research
  • Hormone Physiology

Background:

  • Incretin hormones (GIP, GLP-1) and glucagon regulate appetite, energy, and fat metabolism.
  • Established reference values for these hormones in children are lacking.
  • This study addresses the need for pediatric reference ranges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish age- and sex-specific reference percentiles and z-scores for GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon in children.
  • To investigate associations between these hormone levels and insulin resistance, lipid status, and metabolic syndrome.
  • To provide a normative framework for pediatric metabolic health research.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the CHAMPS study DK cohort.
  • Included 485 school children without metabolic syndrome.
  • Analyzed age, sex, insulin sensitivity (HOMA2-IR), and lipid status in relation to hormone levels.

Main Results:

  • Age positively correlated with GLP-1 in both sexes; GIP inversely correlated with age in girls.
  • Insulin sensitivity (HOMA2-IR) positively associated with GLP-1 z-scores in boys.
  • Insulin sensitivity (HOMA2-IR) positively associated with glucagon z-scores in girls.

Conclusions:

  • Age, sex, and insulin sensitivity significantly influence incretin and glucagon levels in children.
  • Generated reference percentiles and z-scores offer a vital framework for pediatric metabolic health studies.
  • These reference values are essential for future research on GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon as biomarkers for metabolic disorders.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Mechanisms Underlying Gut Hormone Secretion Using the Isolated Perfused Rat Small Intestine07:00

Mechanisms Underlying Gut Hormone Secretion Using the Isolated Perfused Rat Small Intestine

Published on: February 26, 2019

9.9K
Characterization of Metabolic Status in Nonhuman Primates with the Intravenous Glucose Tolerance Test06:59

Characterization of Metabolic Status in Nonhuman Primates with the Intravenous Glucose Tolerance Test

Published on: November 13, 2016

11.4K

Related Concept Videos

Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists01:24

Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists

Incretins include glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), which stimulate insulin secretion post-meals. In type 2 diabetes, GIP's efficacy is reduced, making GLP-1 a viable drug target. GIP originates from preproGIP.
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...
816
Hypoglycemia and Glucagon01:15

Hypoglycemia and Glucagon

Without prolonged fasting, healthy individuals maintain blood glucose levels above 3.5 mM due to a well-adapted neuroendocrine counterregulatory system that effectively prevents acute hypoglycemia, a potentially life-threatening condition. The primary clinical scenarios for hypoglycemia encompass diabetes treatment, inappropriate production of endogenous insulin or insulin-like substances by tumors, and the use of glucose-lowering agents in non-diabetic individuals. Notably, hypoglycemia in the...
766
Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects01:16

Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects

Insulin-replacement therapy usually includes both long-acting insulin (basal) and short-acting insulin (to cater to postprandial needs). In a diverse group of type 1 diabetes patients, the average daily insulin dose is typically 0.5-0.7 units/kg body weight. However, obese patients and pubertal adolescents may need more due to insulin resistance.
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...
649
Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion01:27

Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion

The pancreatic islets comprising only 1%-2% of the volume are highly vascularized and innervated mini-organs. They contain five endocrine cell types, including β cells that secrete insulin, which is synthesized as a single polypeptide chain, preproinsulin, processed to proinsulin, and finally to insulin and C-peptide. This process is complex and regulated, involving the Golgi complex, the endoplasmic reticulum, and the secretory granules of the β cell.
Insulin and C-peptide are...
2.1K
Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors01:23

Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors

Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) is a serine protease widely distributed in the body. It's involved in the inactivation of GLP-1 and GIP hormones, which are crucial for insulin regulation. DPP-4 inhibitors, such as sitagliptin (Januvia), saxagliptin (Onglyza), linagliptin (Tradjenta), alogliptin (Nesina), and vildagliptin (Galvus), help increase the proportion of active GLP-1, enhancing insulin secretion. These inhibitors work by competitively binding to DPP-4. This binding causes a...
547
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Glinides01:06

Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Glinides

Repaglinide (Prandin) and Nateglinide (Starlix), known as glinides, are oral insulin secretagogues that stimulate insulin release from pancreatic β cells by closing the ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP channel). Repaglinide controls insulin release from pancreatic β cells by managing potassium efflux. It shares two binding sites with sulfonylureas and also has a unique site, indicating overlapping mechanisms of action. With a rapid onset and a 4-7 hour duration, it effectively...
560