Extrapancreatic contribution to glucose regulation by dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibition

• Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors are now being clinically utilized as glucose-lowering medications for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Their widespread use and effective glucose-lowering properties have led to great interest in the mechanism of action of this class of drug. Although it has been well accepted that DPP-4 inhibitors lower glucose in part by increasing postprandial insulin secretion and suppressing fasting and postprandial hyperglucagonemia, recent studies have suggested that DPP-4 inhibition has other metabolically beneficial properties that are extrapancreatic in nature. This review explores the changes in DPP-4 expression and activity in metabolic disease states and discusses the metabolic consequences of DPP-4 inhibition on a systemic and tissue-specific basis. It concludes that there is considerable scientific evidence and a growing body of clinical evidence to suggest that DPP-4 inhibition would be beneficial in a number of metabolic disorders in addition to type 2 diabetes.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Endokrinologi och diabetes (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Endocrinology and Diabetes (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

dipeptidyl peptidase-4

glucose

insulin

insulin sensitivity

liver

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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ref (ämneskategori)