title: Prevention of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Potential of pharmacological agents.
abstract: People with impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose, or "pre-diabetes", are at high risk for progression to type 2 diabetes, as are those with metabolic syndrome or a history of gestational diabetes. Both glucose-lowering and anti-obesity pharmacotherapies have been studied to determine if the onset of type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented. Here we review the available data in the field. The most common theme is the reduction in insulin resistance, such as with weight loss, decreasing demands on the beta cell to improve insulin secretion and prolong its function. Overall, therapies which decrease diabetes incidence in high-risk populations delay the onset of diabetes but do not correct the underlying beta cell defect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, ABBR R615, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Electronic address: ssamson@bcm.edu.
authors.forename: Susan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Samson
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza- BCM 620, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza- BCM 620, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza- BCM 620, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Alan J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Garber
mesh_terms: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents
keywords: diabetes prevention; impaired fasting glucose; impaired glucose tolerance; obesity; type 2 diabetes; weight loss