Diabesity and antidiabetic drugs

The prevalence of diabesity - diabetes related to obesity - has increased tremendously over the past few decades because of the global obesity epidemic. Although bariatric surgery is the best treatment option for patients with diabesity, a majority of patients are managed only with antidiabetic drugs for various reasons. Diabetes control with antidiabetic agents may affect diabesity outcomes positively or negatively because of their effects on body weight and other metabolic parameters. For this reason, rational use of anti-diabetic medications is imperative to optimise long-term management of diabesity. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of antidiabetic drugs and/or drug combinations on diabesity outcomes are therefore important not only for the basic scientists but also for clinicians. This review explores the molecular signalling cascades of antidiabetic medications in the management of diabesity.