GIP receptor knockout mice

Gastric inhibitory polypeptide(GIP) is a gastrointestinal peptide hormone, which is secreted from duodenal endocrine K cells after absorption of glucose or fat. It is well known as an incretin. To determine the further role of GIP in vivo, we generated GIP receptor-knockout mice. The mice showed higher blood glucose levels with impaired initial insulin response after oral glucose load. Even after high-fat diet, knockout mice lack compensatory insulin secretion, and showed no hyper-insulinemia. Moreover, knockout mice fed a high-fat diet were clearly protected from both the obesity and the insulin resistance. Therefore, GIP directly links glucose tolerance and over-nutrition to obesity and it is a potential target for the treatment for the metabolic syndrome.