A recent article, published in Medscape Today, reviewed the medical and science literature that focused on studying how Type 2 diabetes mellitus progresses over time, the consequences of the progression that this condition has on the human body, and the mechanisms of actions of new agents, or therapies, for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Diabetes is a health condition that results from the body not being able to produce insulin, a hormone that helps convert sugars into glucose molecules and transports the sugars into cells to provide energy for our daily lives. When glucose builds up in the blood, instead of going into cells, the buildup of glucose can damage our organs, such as the heart, kidney, and nerves. Furthermore, cells will lack adequate levels of glucose and, as a result, will be starved for energy.
The article in Medscape Today indicated that there were roughly 171 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the year 2000. Type 2 diabetes makes up between 90%-95% of all diabetes cases.
At the cellular level, diabetes is characterized by worsening blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia), which leads to the loss of function and eventual failure of pancreatic beta cells. The failure of pancreatic beta cells can lead to health conditions referred to as retinopathy (damage to the retina of the eye), neuropathy (disorders of the nerves), nephropathy (disease affecting the kidneys), stroke, cardiovascular disease, and others. The pathophysiology of Type 2 diabetes mellitus is described as worsening of glucose (or glycemic) control and the loss of beta cell function over time. The progression of Type 2 diabetes is a result of uncontrolled blood sugar levels, disruption in the amount of lipids in the blood (dyslipidemia) and high blood pressure (hypertension).
Therapies are being developed to treat Type 2 diabetes by targeting what progresses the condition and trying to control the glucose levels. The newest therapies are focusing on the incretin hormone, glucagon-like peptide-1. Similar compounds of this hormone have been shown to delay the progression of the loss of beta cell function and promote beta cell regeneration. This helps improve glucose control by increasing glucose-stimulated insulin production. Another treatment method is to try and inhibit the enzyme dipeptidyl-peptidase 4. This enzyme inactivates glucagon-like pepetide-1. Therefore, targeting this enzyme helps to increase the incretin levels. Both of these therapies have been shown to help slow the progression of Type 2 diabetes.
Can Newer Therapies Delay the Progession of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus? http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/579640
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