A GIP Receptor Agonist Exhibits β-Cell Anti-Apoptotic Actions in Rat Models of Diabetes Resulting in Improved β-Cell Function and Glycemic Control

AIMS: The gastrointestinal hormone GIP promotes pancreatic islet function and exerts pro-survival actions on cultured β-cells. However, GIP also promotes lipogenesis, thus potentially restricting its therapeutic use. The current studies evaluated the effects of a truncated GIP analog, D-Ala(2)-GIP(1–30) (D-GIP(1–30)), on glucose homeostasis and β-cell mass in rat models of diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The insulinotropic and pro-survival potency of D-GIP(1–30) was evaluated in perfused pancreas preparations and cultured INS-1 β-cells, respectively, and receptor selectivity evaluated using wild type and GIP receptor knockout mice. Effects of D-GIP(1–30) on β-cell function and glucose homeostasis, in vivo, were determined using Lean Zucker rats, obese Vancouver diabetic fatty rats, streptozotocin treated rats, and obese Zucker diabetic fatty rats, with effects on β-cell mass determined in histological studies of pancreatic tissue. Lipogenic effects of D-GIP(1–30) were evaluated on cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes. RESULTS: Acutely, D-GIP(1–30) improved glucose tolerance and insulin secretion. Chronic treatment with D-GIP(1–30) reduced levels of islet pro-apoptotic proteins in Vancouver diabetic fatty rats and preserved β-cell mass in streptozotocin treated rats and Zucker diabetic fatty rats, resulting in improved insulin responses and glycemic control in each animal model, with no change in body weight. In in vitro studies, D-GIP(1–30) exhibited equivalent potency to GIP(1–42) on β-cell function and survival, but greatly reduced action on lipoprotein lipase activity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that truncated forms of GIP exhibit potent anti-diabetic actions, without pro-obesity effects, and that the C-terminus contributes to the lipogenic actions of GIP.