Insulin resistance in muscle and liver and β-cell failure represent the core pathophysiologic defects in type 2 diabetes. Now it isrecognized that the β-cell failure occurs much earlier and is more severe than previously thought. As a result, earlier and more aggressive new therapy is needed to achiev e better control of diabetes and to prev ent/slow the progressive B-cell failure that already is w ell established in IGT subjects. One approach is to target the incretin mimetic hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). When blood glucose levels are elevated, GrP-1 stimulates insulin secretion, decreases glucagon secretion, impro ves β-cell function, and slows gastric emptying. GrP-1 production is reduced in patients with type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, GrP-1 is rapidly degraded by the dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) enzyme. Trials have showed, that new inhibitor DPP-4 vildagliptin (Galvus) hav e been demonstrated to significantly reduce HbA lc, fasting and prandial glucose levels when used as monotherapy and in соmbination with traditional agents. Advantages of vildagliptin include few adverse events, low risk of hypoglycemia, neutral effect on body weight, and a once-daily oral dosing regimen. Inaddition, vildagliptin may preserve the decline in β-cell function. Hence, vildagliptin may modify the natural progressive course of diabetes; this however, must be confirmed with longer-term controlled studies
Differential Effects of Thiazolidinediones and Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors on Insulin Resistance and β-Cell Function in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis
