Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus: Present Therapies and New Drug Targets&#

Abstract

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) or Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) accounts for 90-95% of all diabetes cases and has become a major health concern over the years. This disease has assumed frightening proportions due to unhealthy food habits and sedentary life style. About a decade ago, due to the absence of defined molecular targets or an understanding of disease pathophysiology, treatment of this disease was mostly focused on insulin secretion or administration of external insulin. During the past decade however, advent of genomics and proteomics has helped in understanding the molecular alteration characteristics of NIDDM. Untreated type 2 diabetes leads to several complications such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension and atherosclerosis--collectively known as Syndrome X. Though United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) showed that normalization of hyperglycemia could prevent majority of diabetes complications, the available treatment regime does not adequately normalize the blood glucose level in type 2 diabetic patients. Currently, four distinct classes of oral hypoglycemic agents are available, some of which can act as lipid lowering agents as well. The efficacy and side effect profiles of these drugs are still to be optimized, so there is an unmet need for better candidates. Several new targets as well as better drugs for old targets are under investigation across the world. Availability of such drugs, based on the validated targets, may lead to a new therapeutic paradigm for the prevention of diabetes as well as complications arising out of it. The current review will deal with existing oral therapies for type 2 diabetes as well as the emerging therapeutic targets.

Difference in glucose intolerance between C57BL/6J and ICR strain mice with streptozotocin/nicotinamide-induced diabetes

“…Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases developed by impaired insulin secretion of pancreatic β-cells and disrupted insulin action in the target tissues such as the liver, muscle and adipose tissue (2,5,15). This disease represents diabetes-specific microvascular pathology in the retina, renal glomerulus and peripheral nervous system, and which is a leading cause of blindness, end-stage renal disease and neuropathy (3).…”

Effect of Sodium Selenite Supplementation on Glucose Intolerance and Pancreatic Oxidative Stress in Type 2 Diabetic Mice under Different Selenium Status

“…[1][2][3] The development of this disorder is related to congenital factors such as the genetic trait of a host. 4) Host environmental factors such as obesity, overeating and the lack of exercise also contribute to the development of this disease.…”

Effects of Administering Sodium Selenite, Methylseleninic Acid, and Seleno-L-methionine on Glucose Tolerance in a Streptozotocin/Nicotinamide-Induced Diabetic Mouse Model

“…1,2) This disease is characterized by a diabetes-specific microvascular pathology in the retina, renal glomerulus, and peripheral nervous system, and is the leading cause of blindness, end-stage renal disease, and neuropathy.…”