The loss of the quantity and quality of islet β cells and of its function are the main pathophysiological foundation of type 1 diabetes. With the application of gastrointestinal hormones in the treatment of type 1 diabetes
much evidence reveals that incretin can decrease the apoptosis
increase the proliferation of islet β cells and recover the insulin secretion function. The animal and clinical researches about type 1 diabetes also indicated that glucagon like peptide-1 exerted promising effects on positively reducing islet β cell apoptosis
increasing β cells and recovering the insulin secretion function.This article reviewed recent advances of incretin in type 1 diabetes.