Aims: To determine whether altered GLP-1 activity contributes to the abnormal endogenous glucose production (EGP) and insulin secretion characteristic of people with impaired fasting glucose (IFG).
Methods: People with IFG (n=10) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT; n=13) underwent assessment of EGP (via [6,6-(2)H(2)]-glucose infusion). Parameters of whole body insulin action and secretion were estimated by IVGTT and OGTT. Measures of EGP and insulin secretion were made before and after sitagliptin administration.
Results: EGP was not different at baseline (glucose R(a); 1.47+/-0.08 vs. 1.46+/-0.05mg/kg/min, IFG vs. NGT, p=0.93). However, when differences in circulating insulin were accounted for (EGPXSSPI; 20.2+/-2.1 vs. 14.4+/-1.0AU, vs. NGT, p=0.03) the hepatic insulin resistance index was significantly higher in IFG. Baseline insulin action (S(i); 2.3+/-0.1x10(-4)/microU/ml vs. 3.5+/-0.4x10(-4)/microU/ml, p=0.01, IFG vs. NGT) and secretion (DI; 587+/-81x10(-4)/min vs. 1171+/-226x10(-4)/min, p=0.04, IFG vs. NGT) were impaired in IFG when evaluated by the IVGTT, but not by OGTT (insulin sensitivity 4.52+/-1.08x10(-4)dl/kg/min vs. 6.73+/-1.16x10(-4)dl/kg/min, IFG vs. NGT, p=0.16; indices of basal (Phi(b)), static (Phi(s)), dynamic (Phi(d)), and total (Phi(t)) insulin secretion, p>0.07). Sitagliptin did not change EGP or insulin secretion in either group.
Conclusions: Incretin action maintained insulin secretion, but not hepatic insulin action, in people with IFG.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00795275.