DPP-4 inhibitors have a dual effect on insulin and glucagon release. Which description is correct?

DPP-4 inhibitors have a dual effect on insulin and glucagon release. Which description is correct?

• A. They stimulate glucose-dependent insulin release and suppress glucagon release
• B. They stimulate insulin release regardless of glucose levels
• C. They do not affect glucagon levels
• D. They suppress insulin release

Answer: (C)

DPP-4 inhibitors raise levels of incretin hormones, especially GLP-1, which enhances insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner and also suppresses glucagon release when glucose is high. This dual action helps increase insulin when you’ve eaten (high glucose) and reduce glucagon-driven glucose production by the liver, lowering post-meal glucose. That makes the description of stimulating glucose-dependent insulin release and suppressing glucagon release the best fit. The other statements don’t match how these drugs work: insulin release is not driven independent of glucose, glucagon levels are affected (suppressed when glucose is high), and insulin release is not suppressed.

DPP-4 inhibitors raise levels of incretin hormones, especially GLP-1, which enhances insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner and also suppresses glucagon release when glucose is high. This dual action helps increase insulin when you’ve eaten (high glucose) and reduce glucagon-driven glucose production by the liver, lowering post-meal glucose. That makes the description of stimulating glucose-dependent insulin release and suppressing glucagon release the best fit. The other statements don’t match how these drugs work: insulin release is not driven independent of glucose, glucagon levels are affected (suppressed when glucose is high), and insulin release is not suppressed.