Glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists:Role of the gut in hypoglycemia unawareness,and the rationale in type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is increasing and the majority of patients have poor glycemic control.Although advanced technology and nanoparticle use have greatly enhanced insulin delivery and glucose monitoring,weight gain and hypoglycemia remain major challenges and a constant source of concern for patients with type 1 diabetes.Type 1 diabetes shares some pathophysiology with type 2 diabetes,and an overlap has been reported.The above observation created great interest in glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists(GLP-1)as adjuvants for type 1 diabetes.Previous trials confirmed the positive influence of GLP-1 agonists onβcell function.However,hypoglycemia unawareness and dysregulated glucagon response have been previously reported in patients with recurrent hypoglycemia using GLP-1 agonists.Jin et al found that the source of glucagon dysregulation due to GLP-1 agonists resides in the gut.Plausible explanations could be gut nervous system dysregulation or gut microbiota disruption.This review evaluates the potential of GLP-1 agonists in managing type 1 diabetes,particularly focusing on their impact on glycemic control,weight management,and glucagon dysregulation.We provide a broader insight into the problem of type 1 diabetes mellitus management in the light of recent findings and provide future research directions.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 and impaired counterregulatory responses to hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes

This letter comments on a study by Jin et al,published recently in the World Journal of Diabetes.Hypoglycemia is a significant complication of diabetes,with primary defense mechanisms involving the stimulation of glucagon secretion inα-cells and the inhibition of insulin secretion in pancreaticβ-cells,which are often compromised in type 1 diabetes mellitus(T1DM)and advanced type 2 diabetes mellitus.Recurrent hypoglycemia predisposes the development of impaired hypoglycemia awareness,a condition underpinned by complex pathophysiological processes,encompassing central nervous system adaptations and several hormonal interactions,including a potential role for glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1)in paracrine and endocrine vias.Experimental evidence indicates that GLP-1 may impair hypoglycemic counterregulation by disrupting the sympathoadrenal system and promoting somatostatin release in pancreaticδ-cells,which inhibits glucagon secretion from neighboringα-cells.However,current trials evaluating GLP-1 receptor agonists(GLP-1 RAs)in T1DM patients have shown promising benefits in reducing insulin requirements and body weight,without increasing the risk of hypoglycemia.Further research is essential to elucidate the specific roles of GLP-1 and GLP-1 RAs in modulating glucagon secretion and the sympathetic-adrenal reflex,and their impact on hypoglycemia unawareness in T1DM patients.