Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity on the Basis of the Incretin System: The 2021 Banting Medal for Scientific Achievement Award Lecture

“

The paper shows that the incretin hormones are essential for glucose tolerance and that blockade of the incretin effect leads to glucose intolerance. The incretin hormone, GLP-1 also serves to regulate appetite and food intake. This is the background for the development and use of the GLP-1 Receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) for treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. The current GLP-1 RAs are exceptionally effective and may lead to long lasting remission and body weight loss of up to 18 % in 68 weeks. In addition, they have significant positive effects on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and significantly reduce the risk of stroke and also show significant renoprotection. It is anticipated that expanded use of GLP-1RAs will positively affect the lives of people with obesity and type 2 diabetes

”