PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Al-Omar, Mohamed A.
AU  - Al-Arifi, Mohammed N.
TI  - Glucagon-like peptide-1 derivatives and dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitors. New hope for the treatment of type-2 diabetes
DP  - 2005 Oct 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 1511--1515
VI  - 26
IP  - 10
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/26/10/1511.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/26/10/1511.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2005 Oct 01; 26
AB  - Glucagon-like peptide GLP-1 is an endogenous insulinotropic/glucagonostatic hormone that acts in a self-limiting mechanism. It is a multifunctional hormone that leads to insulin release stimulation, liver glucagon breakdown suppression, upregulation of islet cell proliferation, and neogenesis and retardation of gastric emptying. The short half-life and high renal clearance due to degradation via dipeptidyl peptidase-IV DPP-IV, and active glomerular filtration rate make this hormone ineffectual as an exogenous agent. More stable and long acting GLP-1 analogues and DPP-1 inhibitors have been developed with promising clinical value for the treatment of type-2 diabetes. The GLP-1 derivatives have the advantage of decreasing body weight while the DPP-IV inhibitors can be administered orally up to once daily. The mechanism of action as well as the tolerable side effect is astounding. This review article covers this new generation of anti-diabetics.