[Incretin strategy in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus--DPPIV].

Administration ofGLP-1 analogue resistant to DPPIV or therapeutic inhibition ofthe enzymes, allowing for an increase in the levels of GLP-1, are the very new approaches to the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Incretin therapy has an immense potential of improving unsatisfactory compensation in diabetic patients thus reducing the risk of manifestation of all arterial complications. Low fasting circulating levels of GLP-1 (and also GIP) grow rapidly after eating and are subsequently degraded to inactive forms by dipeptidyl peptidases IV (DPPIV). DPPIV are enzymes widely present in the body which proteolytically degrade GLP-1 and GIP (as well as other active substances). The preventing of their inactivation effect by administering DPPIV inhibitors allows for increasing the GLP-1 levels, which are reduced in type 2 diabetic patients, and subsequently improves glucose homeostasis in such patients. DPPIV inhibitors represent the principal new class of PAD, and their metabolic profile offers a number of unique clinical advantages for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.