Incretin agents in type 2 diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the emerging classes of antihyperglycemic agents that target the incretin pathway, including their therapeutic efficacy and side effect profiles, in order to help identify their place among the treatment options for patients with type 2 diabetes.


METHODS
MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched. Most evidence is level I and II.


RESULTS
Two classes of incretin agents are currently available: glucagonlike peptide 1 (GLP1) receptor agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitors, both of which lower hyperglycemia considerably without increasing the risk of hypoglycemia. The GLP1 receptor agonists have a greater effect on patients' glycated hemoglobin A(1c) levels and cause sustained weight loss, whereas the DPP4 inhibitors are weight-neutral.


CONCLUSIONS
The GLP1 and DPP4 incretin agents, promising and versatile antihyperglycemic agents, are finding their way into the therapeutic algorithm for treating type 2 diabetes. They can be used in patients not adequately controlled by metformin monotherapy or as initial therapy in those for whom metformin is contraindicated.
Ross
Stuart A
SA
University Of Calgary, AB, Canada. drross@telus.net
Ekoé
Jean-Marie
JM
D000328:Adult; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D054873:Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D000077270:Exenatide; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000188:drug therapy; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D054795:Incretins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069450:Liraglutide; D010455:Peptides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014688:Venoms / Q000627:therapeutic use
D054873:Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D054795:Incretins; D010455:Peptides; D014688:Venoms; D000069450:Liraglutide; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; D000077270:Exenatide; D005947:Glucose