Intact Vagal Innervation and Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Effects

The Significance of Intact Vagal Innervation for the GLP-1 Induced Inhibition of Gastric Emptying, Appetite and Food Intake

The aim of this study is to investigate the role of transmission via the vagal nerve for the effect of Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in respect to gastric emptying, appetite and food intake.

The hypothesis is that a great deal of the effects of GLP-1 is mediated via the nervous system and for this reason the researchers will investigate individuals with and without intact nervous supply.

GLP-1 is a potent enterogastron and incretin hormone. It is rapidly inactivated by dipeptidyl peptidase IV so only 10-15% enters the systemic circulation. This has led to the hypothesis that GLP-1 interact locally with afferent sensory nerve fibers. We investigated the role of intact vagal innervations on the effect of GLP-1 on the food intake, gastric emptying (GE) and appetite.

Inclusion Criteria:

• truncal vagotomy
• normal hemoglobin
• informed consent
• Age, gender and weight matched controls
• normal hemoglobin
• informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• type 1 diabetes mellitus or type 2 diabetes mellitus
• body mass index > 30 kg/m2
• inflammatory bowel disease
• intestinal resection
• nephropathy (serum creatinine > 150 µM and/or albuminuria)
• liver disease (ALAT and/or ASAT > 2 x normal value)
• treatment with medicine which cannot be paused for 12 hours