A REVIEW ON INCRETIN MIMETICS

Abstract

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus has drastically increased in the last decades worldwide. The pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus is complex and associated with low incretin levels. The current therapy of oral hypoglycemics has many adverse effects. Incretins are gastric hormones and increase the release of insulin even before the blood glucose level rises and suppress the glucagon release. Incretins also reduce the absorption of nutrients after digestion by decreasing the gastric emptying time and reduces the food intake which helps to regulate body weight. They have an important implication in reducing meal time hyperglycemia. Incretin mimetics mimic the effect of incretin hormones. They can be used in conjuction with other oral hypoglycemics to regulate the glucose levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Further, research studies can be done on incretin mimetics to elevate them as monotherapy drugs for type 2 diabetes mellitus.