The role of incretin in the regulation of glucose homeostasis and treatment of type 2 diabetes

Incretins are glucose-dependent insulinotropic hormones that are secreted from intestinal endocrine cells stimulated by meal nutrients after eating. Incretins can maintain glucose homeostasis through promoting insulin secretion from β cell and suppressing inappropriately glucagon secretion from α cell, as well as many other physiological effects. Furthermore, incretins can delay and even reverse the deterioration of type 2 diabetes by enhancing islet β cell function. Incretin-based therapies, including glucagon-like peptide-1 mimetics and dipeptidyl peptidase-Ⅳ inhibitors, will bring us new insights into the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Key words: Incretin ;  Glucose homeostasis ;  Diabetes mellitus,type 2 ;