Postprandial GLP-1 secretion is greatly enhanced after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and seems important for the reduced food intake and improved insulin secretion postoperatively. Understanding the mechanisms of gut hormone release after RYGB could aid the discovery of new drugs for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. Glucose is particularly potent for stimulating the release of GLP-1 as well as GIP compared with protein and fat in RYGB operated patients. It is unclear how glucose triggers gut hormone secretion in humans, but animal studies suggest a crucial role of sodium-glucose transporter 1 (SGLT1).

Our aim was to investigate secretion of GLP-1 and GIP in response to an oral glucose load (50 g) on two separate days with or without acute pretreatment of 600 mg of the dual SGLT1/SGLT2 inhibitor canagliflozin (CANA) in 10 RYGB operated patients with no history of diabetes (age 47 ± 5 years, BMI 36 ± 7 kg/m2, HbA1c 35 ± 4 mmol/mol, time from surgery 6 ± 1 years, mean ± SD).

CANA lowered peak glucose (11.8 vs. 8.4 mmol/l, p<0.01) and tended to decrease glucose concentrations during the 4-hour test period (AUC placebo: 1453, CANA: 1343 min mmol/l, p=0.08). CANA inhibited the early rise in GLP-1 secretion with a 28% reduction in peak concentration (p=0.03, 95% CI [-46%, -2.9%]), but a prolonged secretion was seen at later timepoints and overall GLP-1 secretion was comparable (AUC above basal 6067 vs. 7273 min pmol/l, p=0.23). GIP secretion was diminished by CANA (peak by 57%, p>0.01, and AUC above basal by 28%, p=0.01, respectively). In addition, CANA reduced the postprandial rise in lactate concentrations and pulse rate and caused marked glucosuria (0.2 vs. 11 g).

SGLT1/2 inhibition by canagliflozin during glucose ingestion reduced glycemic excursions and diminished early release of GLP-1 and GIP in RYGB operated patients. The results support that glucose absorption via SGLT1 is important for incretin hormone secretion after gastric bypass.

Disclosure

C. Martinussen: None. S. Veedfald: None. K.N. Bojsen-Moller: None. C. Dirksen: None. M.S. Svane: None. V. Kristiansen: None. J.J. Holst: Advisory Panel; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S. S. Madsbad: None.

Funding

European Union Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program (695069-Bypass Without Surgery); Danish Diabetes Academy; Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF15OC0017188); Research Foundation for Health Research of the Capital Region of Denmark; Hvidovre Hospital

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