Elevated basal and post-feed glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) concentrations in the neonatal period.

Background: Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone that stimulates glucose-induced insulin secretion, increases beta-cell proliferation, neogenesis and beta-cell mass. In adults, plasma concentrations of amidated GLP-1 are typically within the 5-10 pmol/l range in the fasting state and increases to approximately 50 pmol/l after ingestion of a mixed meal.

Research Design And Methods: We measured plasma glucose, insulin and amidated forms of GLP-1 prefeed and then at 20 and 60 min post-feed following ingestion of a 60-70 ml of standard milk feed in preterm (n=10, 34-37 weeks) and term newborn infants (n=12, 37-42 weeks).