title: DPP-IV inhibitors: Beyond glycaemic control?
abstract: Dipeptidyl-peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors are a new class of oral hypoglycaemic agents recently approved for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Early data suggested that they had a positive impact on the cardiovascular system: treatment appeared to result in improvements in cardiac performance, blood pressure and lipid levels. However, recent clinical findings bring this into question. Our understanding of the physiological actions of these agents is complicated by the fact that DPP-IV has a wide range of substrates in addition to glucagon-like peptide 1. Indeed, DPP-IV inhibition alters concentrations of a wide variety of cytokines and neuropeptides. A deeper understanding of the physiological effects of these drugs as well as their true impact on cardiovascular risk is needed before consideration can be given to extending their use beyond the treatment of diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Downing College, Regent Street, Cambridge CB2 1DQ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Kwok
authors.affiliation: Downing College, Regent Street, Cambridge CB2 1DQ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Meghavi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mashar
authors.affiliation: Rayne Institute, St. Thomas' Hospital, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7EH, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Kaivan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Khavandi
authors.affiliation: Downing College, Regent Street, Cambridge CB2 1DQ, United Kingdom; Rayne Institute, St. Thomas' Hospital, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7EH, United Kingdom. Electronic address: ins20@cam.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sabir
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D054873:Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D054873:Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors