Which mechanism mimics incretin hormones?

• A. Replace insulin
• B. Improve insulin secretion
• C. Mimic incretin hormones
• D. Delay carb absorption

Answer: (C)

Incretin mimetics are drugs designed to reproduce the action of the gut hormones that rise after a meal—GLP-1 and related incretins. These hormones boost insulin secretion from the beta cells in a glucose-dependent manner, and they also help suppress glucagon, slow gastric emptying, and promote satiety. Drugs that mimic incretin hormones act by binding to the same receptors and recreating these effects, which is why this mechanism is described as mimicking incretin hormones. This is different from simply replacing insulin, which delivers insulin directly; or from general insulin-secretory drugs that aren’t tied to incretin signaling; or from delaying carb absorption, which slows glucose appearance without engaging incretin pathways.