The incretins are peptide hormones secreted from the gut in response to food. They increase the secretion of insulin. The incretin response is reduced in patients with type 2 diabetes so drugs acting on incretins may improve glycaemic control. Incretins are metabolised by dipeptidyl peptidase, so selectively inhibiting this enzyme increases the concentration of circulating incretins. A similar effect results from giving an incretin analogue that cannot be cleaved by dipeptidyl peptidase. Studies have identified other actions including improvement in pancreatic β cell glucose sensitivity and, in animal studies, promotion of pancreatic β cell proliferation and reduction in β cell apoptosis.