TY - JOUR

T1 - The liver-alpha-cell axis after a mixed meal and during weight loss in type 2 diabetes

AU - Otten, Julia

AU - Stomby, Andreas

AU - Waling, Maria

AU - Chorell, Elin

AU - Ryberg, Mats

AU - Svensson, Michael

AU - Holst, Jens Juul

AU - Olsson, Tommy

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - OBJECTIVE: Glucagon and amino acids may be regulated in a feedback loop called the liver-alpha-cell axis with alanine or glutamine as suggested signal molecules. We assessed this concept in individuals with type 2 diabetes in the fasting state, after ingestion of a protein rich meal and during weight loss. Moreover, we investigated if postprandial glucagon secretion and hepatic insulin sensitivity were related.METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of a 12-week weight loss trial (Paleolithic diet ± exercise) in 29 individuals with type 2 diabetes. Before and after the intervention, plasma glucagon and amino acids were measured in the fasting state and during 180 min after a protein-rich mixed meal. Hepatic insulin sensitivity was measured using the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp with [6,6-2H2]glucose as tracer.RESULTS: The postprandial increase of plasma glucagon was associated with the postprandial increase of alanine and several other amino acids but not glutamine. In the fasted state and after the meal, glucagon levels were negatively correlated with hepatic insulin sensitivity (rS = -0.51 / r = -0.58 respectively; both P<0.05). Improved hepatic insulin sensitivity with weight loss was correlated with decreased postprandial glucagon response (r = -0.78; P<0.001).CONCLUSIONS: Several amino acids, notably alanine, but not glutamine could be key signals to the alpha cell to increase glucagon secretion. Amino acids may be part of a feedback mechanism as glucagon increases endogenous glucose production and ureagenesis in the liver. Moreover, postprandial glucagon secretion seems to be tightly related to hepatic insulin sensitivity.

AB - OBJECTIVE: Glucagon and amino acids may be regulated in a feedback loop called the liver-alpha-cell axis with alanine or glutamine as suggested signal molecules. We assessed this concept in individuals with type 2 diabetes in the fasting state, after ingestion of a protein rich meal and during weight loss. Moreover, we investigated if postprandial glucagon secretion and hepatic insulin sensitivity were related.METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of a 12-week weight loss trial (Paleolithic diet ± exercise) in 29 individuals with type 2 diabetes. Before and after the intervention, plasma glucagon and amino acids were measured in the fasting state and during 180 min after a protein-rich mixed meal. Hepatic insulin sensitivity was measured using the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp with [6,6-2H2]glucose as tracer.RESULTS: The postprandial increase of plasma glucagon was associated with the postprandial increase of alanine and several other amino acids but not glutamine. In the fasted state and after the meal, glucagon levels were negatively correlated with hepatic insulin sensitivity (rS = -0.51 / r = -0.58 respectively; both P<0.05). Improved hepatic insulin sensitivity with weight loss was correlated with decreased postprandial glucagon response (r = -0.78; P<0.001).CONCLUSIONS: Several amino acids, notably alanine, but not glutamine could be key signals to the alpha cell to increase glucagon secretion. Amino acids may be part of a feedback mechanism as glucagon increases endogenous glucose production and ureagenesis in the liver. Moreover, postprandial glucagon secretion seems to be tightly related to hepatic insulin sensitivity.

U2 - 10.1530/EC-21-0171

DO - 10.1530/EC-21-0171

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 34382579

VL - 10

SP - 1101

EP - 1110

JO - Endocrine Connections

JF - Endocrine Connections

SN - 2049-3614

IS - 9

ER -