Incretin System: Recent Advances in Glucagon Like Peptide-1 and Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors

Authors

  • Rameshwar Mahaseth Manmohan Memorial Medical College & Teaching Hospital (MMTH), Swoyambhu, Kathmandu, Nepal

Abstract

The endogenous incretins, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide
and Glucagon-like peptide, are peptide hormones secreted from endocrine
cells in the small intestine. Glucagon-like peptide-1 stimulates insulin
and suppresses glucagon secretion, delays gastric emptying, and reduces
appetite and food intake, which explains the positive effect of incretin
mimetics on weight. The incretins have also been shown to have a sustained improvement in glycemic control over three years. A wide range of cardiovascular benefits have also been claimed, such as lowering of blood pressure and postprandial lipids. Clinical trials with the incretin mimetic exenatide and liraglutide show reductions in fasting and postprandial glucose concentrations, and haemoglobin A1c (1–2%), associated with weight loss (2–5 kg). The most common adverse event associated with Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists is nausea, which lessens over time. Orally administered Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 inhibitors reduce hemoglobin A1c by 0·5–1·0%, with few adverse effects and no weight gain. These new classes of anti-diabetic agents also expand β-cell mass in preclinical studies. However, long-term clinical studies are still needed to determine the benefits of incretin for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Keywords: dipeptidyl pedptidase-4 inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 RA,
glucose-dependent insulino tropic polypeptide, incretin

Author Biography

Rameshwar Mahaseth, Manmohan Memorial Medical College & Teaching Hospital (MMTH), Swoyambhu, Kathmandu, Nepal

Department of Internal Medicine,Manmohan Memorial Medical College & Teaching Hospital (MMTH), Swoyambhu, Kathmandu, Nepal

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Published

2014-07-04