Exploring the effects of DPP-4 inhibitors on the kidney from the bench to clinical trials

Publication date: Available online 6 December 2017 Source:Pharmacological Research Author(s): Giuseppe Coppolino, Christian Leporini, Laura Rivoli, Francesco Ursini, Eugenio Donato di Paola, Valeria Cernaro, Franco Arturi, Davide Bolignano, Emilio Russo, Giovambattista De Sarro, Michele Andreucci Dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors are a relatively new class of non-insulin glucose-lowering agents, belonging to the incretin family, which are able to improve glycemic control with a favorable safety profile, since they are associated with a low risk of hypoglycemia, no weight gain, and good tolerability in patients with chronic renal failure. Some experimental and clinical studies suggest that these drugs may exert significant pleiotropic effects, in particular on chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression, but data from clinical trials are still controversial. In an effort to clarify the effects of DPP-4 inhibitors (DPP-4is) on diabetes-related renal damage, we performed a narrative review of available clinical trials and other experimental studies focusing on renal effects of DPP-4is. Currently, there is no conclusive evidence proving the usefulness of this drug class for improving diabetes-related renal damage. However, our literature review suggests that DPP-4is are safe and well tolerated in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with CKD. More importantly, results from the reviewed studies indicate that DPP-4 inhibitor therapy may improve two major risk ...
Source: Pharmacological Research - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research