Effects of novel antidiabetes agents on apoptotic processes in diabetes and malignancy: Implications for lowering tissue damage

Apoptosis is a complicated process that involves activation of a series of intracellular signaling. Tissue injuries from diabetes mellitus mostly occur as a consequence of higher rate of apoptosis process due to activation of a series of molecular mechanisms. Several classes of anti-hyperglycaemic agents have been developed which could potentially modulate the apoptotic process resulting in fewer tissue damages. Novel types of anti-hyperglycaemic medications such as sodium glucose cotransporters-2 inhibitors, glucagon like peptide-1 receptor agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors have shown to provide potent anti-hyperglycaemic effects, but their influences on diabetes-induced apoptotic injuries is largely unknown. Therefore, in the current study, we reviewed the published data about the possible effects of these anti-hyperglycaemic agents on apoptosis in diabetic milieu as well as in cancer cells.