Which oral diabetes medication class increases insulin secretion and delays gastric emptying?

The correct answer is GLP-1 agonists, which are a class of medications that mimic the activity of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a naturally occurring hormone in the body. These medications significantly enhance insulin secretion from the pancreas in response to elevated glucose levels, which is crucial in managing blood sugar levels effectively.

In addition to promoting insulin secretion, GLP-1 agonists also contribute to delaying gastric emptying. This slower gastric emptying helps to reduce postprandial (after-meal) blood sugar spikes, providing an additional mechanism of glycemic control. The combination of these two effects—stimulating insulin release and slowing down gastric emptying—makes GLP-1 agonists valuable in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, as they help manage blood glucose levels more effectively while also promoting weight loss.

The other classes of oral diabetes medications listed function differently. DPP-4 inhibitors primarily work by increasing levels of incretin hormones but do not significantly affect gastric emptying. SGLT-2 inhibitors facilitate glucose excretion in the urine and do not promote insulin secretion nor delay gastric emptying. Thiazolidinediones work by improving insulin sensitivity but do not influence gastric emptying or directly stimulate insulin secretion