The potential of incretin-based therapies in type 1 diabetes

Drug Discov Today. 2012 Jan;17(1-2):89-95. doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2011.08.017. Epub 2011 Sep 6.

Abstract

Finding a cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D) has been elusive. Incretin-based therapies, since their approval, have demonstrated their clinical utilities in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Yet, their potential clinical benefits in T1D remain to be appraised. GLP-1, in addition to its insulinotropic action in alleviating hyperglycemia, possesses beneficial effects in protecting progressive impairment of pancreatic β-cell function, preservation of β-cell mass and suppression of glucagon secretion, gastric emptying and appetite. Preclinical data using incretin-based therapies in diabetic NOD mice demonstrated additional effects including immuno-modulation, anti-inflammation and β-cell regeneration. Thus, data accumulated hold the promise that incretin-based therapies may be effective in delaying the new-onset, halting the further progression, or reversing T1D in subjects with newly diagnosed or long-standing, established disease.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / drug therapy*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / metabolism*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / pathology
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / pharmacology
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Incretins / pharmacology*
  • Incretins / therapeutic use*
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / drug effects
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / metabolism
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / pathology

Substances

  • Incretins
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1