Enhancing insulin action: from chemical elements to thiazolidinediones.
Type 2 diabetes is characterized by two fundamental biological defects: a reduced glucose-dependent insulin secretion and an increased resistance to the action of insulin at the level of various target tissues. While the use of agents to improve the insulin secretory activity of the islets of Langerhans has witnessed the flourishing of several new drugs over the years, a much greater difficulty has been experienced in the search for insulin-sensitizing drugs. The aim of this article is to critically review this topic, and to emphasize the importance of providing alternative strategies for the management of Type 2 diabetes.
Perfetti
R
R
Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA. Perfettir@cshs.org
Chamie
K
K
D000818:Animals; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007328:Insulin / Q000502:physiology*; D008903:Minerals / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D008903:Minerals; D013844:Thiazoles