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Incretins

Meaning

Incretins are a group of gastrointestinal hormones released by enteroendocrine cells into the bloodstream rapidly after nutrient ingestion. These hormones, primarily Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) and Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide (GIP), augment glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from the pancreatic beta cells. They are a crucial component of the “incretin effect,” which accounts for the observation that oral glucose stimulates a significantly greater insulin response than intravenous glucose. Clinically, they are central to the physiological regulation of postprandial glucose and energy balance.