Liraglutide,a once‐daily human GLP‐1 analogue,improves pancreatic B‐cell function and arginine‐stimulated insulin secretion during hyperglycaemia in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Aims To assess the effect of liraglutide, a once‐daily human glucagon‐like peptide‐1 analogue on pancreatic B‐cell function. Methods Patients with Type 2 diabetes (n = 39) were randomized to treatment with 0.65, 1.25 or 1.9 mg/day liraglutide or placebo for 14 weeks. First‐ and second‐phase insulin release were measured by means of the insulin‐modified frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test. Arginine‐stimulated insulin secretion was measured during a hyperglycaemic clamp (20 mmol/l). Glucose effectiveness and insulin sensitivity were estimated by means of the insulin‐modified frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test. Results The two highest doses of liraglutide (1.25 and 1.9 mg/day) significantly increased first‐phase insulin secretion by 118 and 103%, respectively (P < 0.05). Second‐phase insulin secretion was significantly increased only in the 1.25 mg/day group vs. placebo. Arginine‐stimulated insulin secretion increased significantly at the two highest dose levels vs. placebo by 114 and 94%, respectively (P < 0.05). There was no significant treatment effect on glucose effectiveness or insulin sensitivity. Conclusions Fourteen weeks of treatment with liraglutide showed improvements in first‐ and second‐phase insulin secretion, together with improvements in arginine‐stimulated insulin secretion during hyperglycaemia.