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Back in November 2024 it was known that global diabetes cases have quadrupled since 1990, affecting over 800 million adults worldwide, according to a World Health Organization.
There is always ongoing research around the globe regarding Diabetes, and I saw this report/study in Science Daily and thought it one to share. Talking of sharing, at the end of the post I've also shared a recipe that is perfect for cooler months.
"Your pancreas may be making its own version of Ozempic
Alpha cells in the pancreas can produce GLP-1, not just glucagon, offering a surprising backup system for blood sugar control.
Dear reader, you will find a variety of articles, studies etc. plus recent news/views and recipe ideas within this blog, something for everyone to read and enjoy...
Alpha cells in the pancreas can produce GLP-1, not just glucagon, offering a surprising backup system for blood sugar control.
- Date: September 21, 2025
- Source: Duke University
- Summary: Duke University scientists have discovered that pancreatic alpha cells, long believed to only produce glucagon, actually generate powerful amounts of GLP-1 — the same hormone mimicked by popular diabetes drugs like semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy). Even more surprisingly, when glucagon production is blocked, alpha cells “switch gears” and boost GLP-1 output, enhancing insulin release and blood sugar control.
A new study from Duke University School of Medicine is challenging long-standing views on blood sugar regulation -- and pointing to a surprising new ally in the fight against type 2 diabetes.
Published Sept. 19 in Science Advances, the research reveals that pancreatic alpha cells, once thought to only produce glucagon -- a hormone that raises blood sugar to maintain energy when fasting or exercising -- also generate GLP-1, a powerful hormone that boosts insulin and helps regulate glucose. GLP-1 is the same hormone mimicked by blockbuster drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro.
Using mass spectrometry, Duke researchers found that human alpha cells may naturally produce far more bioactive GLP-1 than previously believed.
Led by Duke scientist Jonathan Campbell, PhD, the team of obesity and diabetes researchers analyzed pancreatic tissue from both mice and humans across a range of ages, body weights, and diabetes statuses. They found that human pancreatic tissue produces much higher levels of bioactive GLP-1 and that this production is directly linked to insulin secretion.
"This research shows that alpha cells are more flexible than we imagined," said Campbell, an associate professor in the Division of Endocrinology in the Department of Medicine and a member of the Duke Molecular Physiology Institute. "They can adjust their hormone output to support beta cells and maintain blood sugar balance."
This flexibility could change how we think about treating type 2 diabetes, where beta cells in the pancreas can't make enough insulin to keep blood sugar at a healthy level. By boosting the body's own GLP-1 production, it may offer a more natural way to support insulin and manage blood sugar.
Switching gears
In mouse studies, when scientists blocked glucagon production, they expected insulin levels to drop. Instead, alpha cells switched gears -- ramping up GLP-1 production, improving glucose control, and triggering stronger insulin release.
"We thought that removing glucagon would impair insulin secretion by disrupting alpha-to-beta cell signaling," Campbell said. "Instead, it improved it. GLP-1 took over, and it turns out, it's an even better stimulator of insulin than glucagon."
To test this further, researchers manipulated two enzymes: PC2, which drives glucagon production, and PC1, which produces GLP-1. Blocking PC2 boosted PC1 activity and improved glucose control. But when both enzymes were removed, insulin secretion dropped and blood sugar spiked -- confirming the critical role of GLP-1.
Implications for diabetes treatment
While GLP-1 is typically made in the gut, the study confirms that alpha cells in the pancreas can also release GLP-1into the bloodstream after eating, helping to lower blood sugar by increasing insulin and reducing glucagon levels.
Common metabolic stressors, like a high-fat diet, can increase GLP-1 production in alpha cells -- but only modestly. That opens the door to future research: If scientists can find ways to safely boost GLP-1 output from alpha cells they may be able to naturally enhance insulin secretion in people with diabetes.
But measuring GLP-1 accurately hasn't been easy. The team developed a high-specificity mass spectrometry assay that detects only the bioactive form of GLP-1 -- the version that actually stimulates insulin -- not the inactive fragments that often muddy results.
"This discovery shows that the body has a built-in backup plan," Campbell said. "GLP-1 is simply a much more powerful signal for beta cells than glucagon. The ability to switch from glucagon to GLP-1 in times of metabolic stress may be a critical way the body maintains blood sugar control."
Additional authors: Canqi Cui, Danielle C. Leander, Sarah M. Gray, Kimberly El, Alex Chen, Paul Grimsrud, Guo-Fang Zhang, David A. D'Alessio, all of Duke; and Jessica O. Becker, Austin Taylor, Kyle W. Sloop, C. Bruce Verchere, and Andrew N. Hoofnagle,
Funding: National Institutes of Health, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Borden Scholars, and Helmsley Charitable Trust Foundation."
Published Sept. 19 in Science Advances, the research reveals that pancreatic alpha cells, once thought to only produce glucagon -- a hormone that raises blood sugar to maintain energy when fasting or exercising -- also generate GLP-1, a powerful hormone that boosts insulin and helps regulate glucose. GLP-1 is the same hormone mimicked by blockbuster drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro.
Using mass spectrometry, Duke researchers found that human alpha cells may naturally produce far more bioactive GLP-1 than previously believed.
Led by Duke scientist Jonathan Campbell, PhD, the team of obesity and diabetes researchers analyzed pancreatic tissue from both mice and humans across a range of ages, body weights, and diabetes statuses. They found that human pancreatic tissue produces much higher levels of bioactive GLP-1 and that this production is directly linked to insulin secretion.
"This research shows that alpha cells are more flexible than we imagined," said Campbell, an associate professor in the Division of Endocrinology in the Department of Medicine and a member of the Duke Molecular Physiology Institute. "They can adjust their hormone output to support beta cells and maintain blood sugar balance."
This flexibility could change how we think about treating type 2 diabetes, where beta cells in the pancreas can't make enough insulin to keep blood sugar at a healthy level. By boosting the body's own GLP-1 production, it may offer a more natural way to support insulin and manage blood sugar.
Switching gears
In mouse studies, when scientists blocked glucagon production, they expected insulin levels to drop. Instead, alpha cells switched gears -- ramping up GLP-1 production, improving glucose control, and triggering stronger insulin release.
"We thought that removing glucagon would impair insulin secretion by disrupting alpha-to-beta cell signaling," Campbell said. "Instead, it improved it. GLP-1 took over, and it turns out, it's an even better stimulator of insulin than glucagon."
To test this further, researchers manipulated two enzymes: PC2, which drives glucagon production, and PC1, which produces GLP-1. Blocking PC2 boosted PC1 activity and improved glucose control. But when both enzymes were removed, insulin secretion dropped and blood sugar spiked -- confirming the critical role of GLP-1.
Implications for diabetes treatment
While GLP-1 is typically made in the gut, the study confirms that alpha cells in the pancreas can also release GLP-1into the bloodstream after eating, helping to lower blood sugar by increasing insulin and reducing glucagon levels.
Common metabolic stressors, like a high-fat diet, can increase GLP-1 production in alpha cells -- but only modestly. That opens the door to future research: If scientists can find ways to safely boost GLP-1 output from alpha cells they may be able to naturally enhance insulin secretion in people with diabetes.
But measuring GLP-1 accurately hasn't been easy. The team developed a high-specificity mass spectrometry assay that detects only the bioactive form of GLP-1 -- the version that actually stimulates insulin -- not the inactive fragments that often muddy results.
"This discovery shows that the body has a built-in backup plan," Campbell said. "GLP-1 is simply a much more powerful signal for beta cells than glucagon. The ability to switch from glucagon to GLP-1 in times of metabolic stress may be a critical way the body maintains blood sugar control."
Additional authors: Canqi Cui, Danielle C. Leander, Sarah M. Gray, Kimberly El, Alex Chen, Paul Grimsrud, Guo-Fang Zhang, David A. D'Alessio, all of Duke; and Jessica O. Becker, Austin Taylor, Kyle W. Sloop, C. Bruce Verchere, and Andrew N. Hoofnagle,
Funding: National Institutes of Health, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Borden Scholars, and Helmsley Charitable Trust Foundation."
Words above taken from science daily seen here
I'm ending this post with a casserole recipe, which is perfect for cooler months.
Pork and Squash Casserole
it's low carb and so easy - see it here
But please note, articles within this blog are provided for general information only and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor, pharmacist or any other health care professional.
Not all recipes within this blog may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic (more about this here) and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.
All the best Jan
28 comments:
Dear Jan, the pork and squash casserole looks delicious!
Uy es una buena noticia. Te mando un beso.
Such interesting information!
Our daughter is a Type 1 diabetic and today is the 20th anniversary of her diagnosis. We all went out tonight to "celebrate". What we are celebrating is how stable she has been. Since that diagnosis she's married and had 2 kids, has an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor and is stable. What a blessing!
Great post. I think I may have mentioned before that my brother, who lives in Spokane, WA. USA was in a test study using ozempic to treat type 2. He is type 1 but was accepted into the study. For 3 months his AIC was almost perfect. The doctor in charge of the study had to drop my brothers insulin intake to almost nill. Because this was for type 2 and is not FDA approved for type 1 my brother cannot get insurance to pay for it. Even though it is proven to have helped him. Thank you for the great information.
I like the sound of that combination. I must give it a try.
How interesting. Medical research is really amazing. I hope help can be found for diabetes beyond insulin treatments.
The casserole looks delicious.
i find this post to be extremely interesting!! the pork and squash recipes/meal looks so delicious!!
This is a brilliant post! Great jumping-off spot for more information.
That's good. Research is so important :-D
Interesting information on Diabetes.
The casserole looks yummy!
Take care, enjoy your day! Have a great weekend.
...that's great news.
This sounds most encouraging. Obviously, there's a long way to go before the findings can be refined and applied.
It's amazing what our bodies can do, and so sad when they stop doing what we need them too. Happy Friday.
Interesting
Jan um post muito valioso sobre a diabetes, as informações vai ajudar muito quem é diabético, feliz sexta-feira abraços.
Thank goodness for scientists who continue to study, learn, and understand so many things that help humanity!
Diabetes is so complicated!
Thank you!!
Thanks for the info.
Valuable information as always. I guess I should revisit squash.Never really took a liking to it.... Pork is a favorite.. especially on the grill !!
Good info to know, thanks, Jan.
Looks delicious.
Interesting research!!
Thought you today when I made a seed based side dish. I LOOOOOOOOVE seeds and they work so well in stuff. Low-carb too.
It is just amazing what they are figuring out how all this works.
Obrigado pela execução matéria e divulgação.
GOOGLE TRANSLATE
J.P. Alexander
Uy es una buena noticia. Te mando un beso.
Oh, that's good news. I'm sending you a kiss.
Lucimar da Silva Moreira
Jan um post muito valioso sobre a diabetes, as informações vai ajudar muito quem é diabético, feliz sexta-feira abraços.
Jan a very valuable post about diabetes, the information will help a lot those who are diabetic, happy Friday hugs.
Luiz Gomes
Obrigado pela execução matéria e divulgação.
Thank you for the material execution and dissemination.
I had never heard of this, so it's interesting to read about. Now I have to make my body produce more of what's needed in my pancreas
great info as always here ~ thanks, ~ enjoy your weekend ~
an artist reflects
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