Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone which is released from gut. It stimulates insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon secretion and the combined effects on insulin and glucagon secretion result in inhibition of hepatic glucose production, which importantly contributes to the glucose lowering effect of the hormone. It seems GLP-1 can be used in treatment of diabetic patient but because of its rapid elimination by DPP-4, is not suitable for clinical use. Therefore two strategies have been used to exploit the beneficial actions of the hormone (i) development of more stable activators of the GLP-1 receptor so-called GLP-1 mimetics like exenatide, Liraglutide and (ii) inhibitors of DPP-4 like sitagliptin, vildagliptin and saxagliptin. These components can be used in monotherapy or in combination with metformin, insulin, sulphonylurea. The pathophysiological bases of these therapeutics are reviewed in this article.
Keywords: GLP-1, diabetes, GLP-1 mimetics, DPP-4 inhibitor