Pharmacological Approach of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

- Glossary

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)

A group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels that include coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease and peripheral arterial diseases

Dipeptidyl peptidase - 4 inhibitors (DPP - 4 inhibitors or gliptins)

Oral antidiabetic drugs used in treating type 2 diabetes. They suppress the degradation of incretins by blocking the action of the enzyme dipeptidyl - peptidase 4. This stimulates insulin secretion and suppresses glucagon release.

HbA1c

Haemoglobin glycated by non-enzymatic attachment of glucose to haemoglobin. The concentration of HbA1c is the most commonly used measure of chronic glycaemia in clinical trials and diabetes management. It is considered to reflect the integrated mean glucose level over the previous 8–12 weeks.

Metformin

A biguanide oral anti diabetic agent used in treating type 2 diabetes. It decreases glucose production by the liver and increases the insulin sensitivity of body tissues.

Type 1 diabetes

Diabetes caused by immune destruction of pancreatic beta-cells, resulting in lack of insulin production by the pancreas and need for insulin injections for survival.

Type 2 diabetes

Diabetes characterized by various degrees of disorders of insulin action in the body and insulin secretion by the pancreas. Insulin injections are not needed for survival, but might be needed for controlling blood glucose levels.

SGLT2

Sodium glucose co transporters -2 a group of drugs used in T2DM treatment as they inhibit glucose reabsorption from the renal tubules and increase glucose execration.