Figure 1
From: Postprandial hyperlipidemia, endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular risk: focus on incretins
A scheme of the complex effect of incretin activity on postprandial lipids. GLP-1 or GLP-1 receptor agonists acting on the central nervous system increases satiety and therefore reduces nutrient intake. Inhibitory GLP-1 activity on gastric emptying both further increases satiety and slows entry of nutrients including lipids into the intestine. Triglyceride (TG) absorption into intestinal cells is further reduced because of incretin-induced inhibition of gastric lipase. In the intestinal cells, incretins also decrease production of apolipoproteins (Apo) B-48 and A-IV thereby inhibiting intestinal biosynthesis of triglycerides and their secretion into blood. Transport of lipids from intestinal cells to blood may be further reduced by inhibitory effect of incretins on intestinal lymph flow. This combination of effects leads to lowering of postprandial lipid levels in blood.