Abstract
Discovery of the incretin hormones glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) has led to the clinical development of incretin-based therapies for type 2 diabetes. Incretins are intestinal peptide hormones that stimulate post-prandial insulin secretion and improve glycaemic control. Gliptins are drugs that inhibit a ubiquitous enzyme, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), preventing the physiological breakdown of incretins and thereby enhancing endogenous incretin action. Three ‘gliptins’ have recently been introduced into clinical practice: sitagliptin, vildagliptin and saxagliptin. This review provides an overview of these new antidiabetic agents and comments on some exciting future prospects for incretins and agents that enhance incretin action.
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