Magnitude of slowing gastric emptying by glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists determines the amelioration of postprandial glucose excursion in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Aims/introduction: Pharmacological levels of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) can decelerate gastric emptying (GE) and reduce postprandial glucose levels. Most previous studies have used liquid meals to evaluate GE. We evaluated the effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) on GE and postprandial glucose excursion in Japanese type 2 diabetes mellitus patients using a combination of solid and liquid meals.

Materials And Methods: In this single-center, prospective, open-label study, nine healthy individuals and 17 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus consumed a 460-kcal combination of a solid and liquid meal labeled with C-acetic acid. GE was measured from t = 0 to 150 min in a continuous C breath test. Eight participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus were administered GLP-1 RAs, and we examined the relationship between GE and blood glucose excursion.

Results: There were no differences in the average GE coefficient (GEC) and lag time between the healthy and type 2 diabetes mellitus groups. However, the type 2 diabetes mellitus group showed larger GEC variations (P < 0.05). The coefficient of variation of R-R intervals was a significant predictor of GEC in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients (P < 0.01). The short-acting GLP-1 RA reduced the GEC at 1 month (P = 0.012), whereas the long-acting GLP-1 RA did not significantly change the GEC after treatment. A positive relationship was observed between postprandial glucose excursion from T to T and the GEC (r  = 0.75; P < 0.01).

Conclusions: The reduction in GE rate by the administration of GLP-1 RAs can predict the improvement in postprandial glucose excursion in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.