title: Type 2 diabetes mellitus: what is the optimal treatment regimen?
abstract: Treatment options for type 2 diabetes mellitus currently consist of insulin sensitizers, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, secretagogues, and insulin. However, the emphasis on initial therapy has been shifting from secretagogues and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors to insulin sensitizers such as metformin and the thiazolidinediones (TZDs). This article outlines the benefits of treatment with sensitizers vis à vis alpha-glucosidase inhibitors and secretagogues as part of a comprehensive treatment algorithm for type 2 diabetes. Secretagogues and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors effectively lower plasma glucose levels only, whereas insulin sensitizers reduce several important cardiac risk factors in addition to reducing plasma glucose levels. TZDs, in particular, are also beneficial for their ability to preserve or even rejuvenate pancreatic beta-cell function. The treatment algorithm has a layered approach, beginning with a combination of insulin-sensitizer therapy and incrementally progressing to triple oral therapy with the addition of secretagogues and, if necessary, the addition of subcutaneous insulin to maintain glycemic control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical School, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, USA.
authors.forename: David S H
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Bell
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000465:Algorithms; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D065089:Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D008687:Metformin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D045162:Thiazolidinediones / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D065089:Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D045162:Thiazolidinediones; D008687:Metformin; C089946:2,4-thiazolidinedione