Incretin mimetics and dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitors: Potential new therapies for type 2 diabetes mellitus

The emergence of the glucoregulatory hormones glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide has expanded our understanding of glucose homeostasis. In particular, the glucoregulatory actions of the incretin hormone GLP-1 include enhancement of glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppression of inappropriately elevated glucagon secretion, slowing of gastric emptying, and reduction of food intake. Two approaches have been developed to overcome rapid degradation of GLP-1. One is the use of agents that mimic the enhancement of glucose-dependent insulin secretion, and potentially other antihyperglycemic actions of incretins, and the other is the use of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitors, which reduce the inactivation of GLP-1, increasing the concentration of endogenous GLP-1. The development of incretin mimetics and dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitors opens the door to a new generation of antihyperglycemic agents to treat several otherwise unaddressed pathophysiologic defects of type 2 diabetes mellitus. We review the physiology of glucose homeostasis, emphasizing the role of GLP-1, the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus, the clinical shortcomings of current therapies, and the potential of new therapies-including the newly approved incretin mimetic exenatide-that elicit actions similar to those of GLP-1.