Glucagon-like peptide-1 treatment delays the onset of diabetes in 8 week-old db/db mice

Glucagon-like peptide-1 ameliorates the symptoms of diabetes through stimulation of insulin secretion and enhancement of beta-cell mass. We have therefore investigated the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 on the development of diabetes, using db/db mice as a model of Type II diabetes. The potent glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue Exendin-4 or vehicle (control) was administered (i.p.; 1 nmol/kg) to obese 6-week old db/db mice daily for 14 days ( n=10). By 8 weeks of age, control db/db mice developed hyperglycaemia (fasting: 10.4+/-0.5 mmol/l), hyperinsulinaemia and impaired glucose tolerance. However, Exendin-4 treatment prevented hyperglycaemia (fasting: 6.1+/-1.0 mmol/l, p