Incretins in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Incretin hormones are defined as intestinal hormones released in response to nutrient ingestion. The incretin hormones include glucagon-like peptide (GLP-l) and glucose dependent polypeptide (GIP). GLP-l secreted by L cells from ileum and colon while GIP is maily produced K cells from the upper small intestine. Incretin hormones potentiate the glucose induced insulin response from pancreatic beta cells. With their non weight-gain, non hypoglycemic attributes and with positive effects on beta cell mass and lifetime as proven by animal experiments, parenterally used GLP-1 agonists of Exenatide and Liraglutide have emerged among medications used for the treatment of early stage diabetes. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors are effective either as a single or combination therapy in lowering glycated hemoglobin, fasting and postprandial glucose levels, with a low incidence of hypoglycemia and no weight gain. © 2012 OMU.