Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor

Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitor (pronunciation: di-pep-ti-dyl pep-ti-dase-four in-hi-bi-tor) is a class of medicinal drugs used primarily in the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes.

Etymology

The term "Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitor" is derived from its function. "Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4" is an enzyme that removes amino acids from proteins, and an "inhibitor" is a substance that reduces the activity of an enzyme.

Function

Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors work by blocking the action of Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4, an enzyme which destroys the hormone incretin. Incretins help the body produce more insulin only when it is needed and reduce the amount of glucose being produced by the liver when it's not needed. These actions lower the level of glucose in the blood.

Related Terms

• Incretin
• Insulin
• Glucose
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Enzyme
• Amino Acids

See Also

• Biguanides
• Sulfonylureas
• Thiazolidinediones
• Alpha-glucosidase Inhibitors
• Sodium-glucose Co-transporter-2 Inhibitors

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