[The incretin effect and type 2 diabetes]

Rev Med Inst Mex Seguro Soc. 2010 Sep-Oct;48(5):509-20.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

In the gastrointestinal tract we produce hormones, called incretins, in response to food ingestion with a direct effect on pancreatic β and α cell improving the insulin and glucagon response to glucose. The effect consisting in a greater secretion of insulin with a glucose stimulus from the gut or IV injection is called "the incretin effect." The main incretins are: glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP). The action of both incretins is very short due to a rapid inhibition in the circulation by an enzyme dipeptylpeptidase IV (DPP4). In type 2 diabetics, the incretin effect is altered and can be improved by elaboration of a GLP1 resistant to the action of DPP4 (GLP1 analogs) or by direct inhibition of DPP4 producing better effect of native GLP1 and GIP. We have exenatide a derivative from exendin 4, and liraglutide very similar to the native human GLP1. Three inhibitors of DPP4: sitagliptin, and vildagliptin and saxagliptin produce a prolonged inhibition of DPP4 and as a consequence increased effect of native incretins with better control of fasting and postprandial glucose and improve on A1c with a very few hypoglycemic events.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / etiology*
  • Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / analogs & derivatives
  • Humans
  • Incretins / physiology*
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / physiology

Substances

  • Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors
  • Incretins
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1