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A role for vagal activity in preventing the suppression of glucagon secretion by GLP-1 during hypoglycemia

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Autonomic signaling suppresses somatostatin secretion, crucial for paracrine stimulation of glucagon secretion. SST mediates GLP-1-induced inhibition of glucagon secretion, but autonomic signaling may interfere with this mechanism. Activation of cholinergic pathways in a preparation with prepancreatic parasympathetic structures suppresses SST secretion in response to GLP-1 and potentiates glucagon secretion during hypoglycemia. These findings support the clinical importance of autonomic signaling in regulating pancreatic hormone secretion and hypoglycemia risk in some patients on GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Source: American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism

DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00236.2025

Authors: Carolina B. Lobato, Amalie B. E. Nielsen, Jens J. Holst

Institutions: University of Copenhagen, Amager Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Pancreatic function and diabetes

Subfield: Surgery

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: “la Caixa” Foundation, Novo Nordisk Fonden, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research