title: Incretin physiology and its role in type 2 diabetes mellitus.
abstract: Incretins are hormones that are released after ingestion of a meal and augment the secretion of insulin. Current research suggests that GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) is the most important. Their action is terminated by enzymes known as dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4). The observation that the incretin response may be diminished in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus has led to advances in the management of this disease. Agents that act as incretin mimetics, such as exenatide and liraglutide, and DPP-4 inhibitors, such as sitagliptin phosphate and saxagliptin, improve glycated hemoglobin levels either as monotherapy or in combination with other agents. Importantly, these agents either lead to weight loss or are weight neutral and are associated with a low risk of hypoglycemia--properties that further contribute to their clinical utility.
authors.affiliation: Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. frank70112@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Svec
mesh_terms: D000218:Adamantane / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004151:Dipeptides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D054873:Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077270:Exenatide; D005934:Glucagon / Q000627:therapeutic use; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D054795:Incretins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000502:physiology*; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069450:Liraglutide; D010455:Peptides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011719:Pyrazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068900:Sitagliptin Phosphate; D014230:Triazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014688:Venoms / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D004151:Dipeptides; D054873:Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D054795:Incretins; D007328:Insulin; D010455:Peptides; D011719:Pyrazines; D014230:Triazoles; D014688:Venoms; D000069450:Liraglutide; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; D005934:Glucagon; C502994:saxagliptin; D000077270:Exenatide; D000218:Adamantane; D000068900:Sitagliptin Phosphate