A reduction in -cell mass is an important causative factor in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and the long-acting agonist exendin 4 (Ex-4) expand -cell mass by stimulating neogenesis and proliferation. In the partial pancreatectomy (Ppx) model, exogenous Ex-4 promotes islet regeneration, leading to sustained improvement in glucose tolerance. In this study, we investigate the potential role of endogenous GLP-1 in islet growth. We examined -cell mass regeneration after 70% Ppx in mice receiving the GLP-1 antagonist Ex9-39 and in GLP-1R ؊/؊ mice. In Ex9-39 -treated sham-operated mice, persistent fasting hyperglycemia was observed, but -cell mass was not diminished. In pancreatectomized mice, persistent glucose intolerance was noted, but this was not further exacerbated by Ex9-39. Accordingly, -cell mass recovery of Ppx mice was not impaired by Ex9-39. In contrast,
GLP-1R؊/؊ CD1 mice showed worse glucose intolerance after Ppx compared with wild-type CD1 Ppx mice, and this correlated with a significant defect in -cell mass regeneration. The recovery of -cell mass differed markedly in the BALB/c and CD1 control mice, indicating a significant role of genetic background in the regulation of -cell mass. These studies point to a role for endogenous GLP-1 in -cell regeneration after Ppx in mice.