Protective Effects of Incretin Against Age-Related Diseases

Incretin contains two peptides named glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). Drug therapy using incretin has become a new strategy for diabetic treatments due to its significant effects on improving insulin receptors and promoting insulinotropic secretion. Considering the fact that diabetes millitus is a key risk factor for almost all age-related diseases, the extensive protective roles of incretin in chronic diseases have received great attention. Based on the evidence from animal experiments, where incretin can protect against the pathophysiological processes of neurodegenerative diseases, clinical trials for the treatments of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients are currently ongoing. Moreover, the protective effect of incretin on heart has been observed in cardiac myocytes, smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells of vessels. Meanwhile, incretin can also inhibit the proliferation of aortic vascular smooth muscle cells, which can induce atherosclerogenesis. Incretin is also beneficial for diabetic microvascular complications, including nephropathy, retinopathy and gastric ulcer, as well as the hepatic-related diseases such as NAFLD and NASH. Besides, the anti-tumor properties of incretin have been proven in diverse cancers including ovarian cancer, pancreas cancer, prostate cancer and breast cancer.