DAPAGLIFLOZIN: NEWER MOLECULE FOR TREATMENT OF TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a common chronic disease that causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Diabetes results from a combination of increased hepatic glucose production, decreased insulin secretion from beta cells, and insulin resistance in the peripheral tissues. Currently available antidiabetic agents work by different mechanisms to lower blood glucose levels. Available treatments (such as metformin, sulfonylureas, glitazones, and insulin) have proven unsatisfactory in producing a long-lasting impact on glycemic control. In addition, most of these treatments have undesirable side effects such as weight gain and hypoglycemia. As a result, exploring new treatment targets and new therapies is mandatory in order to treat this condition. Sodium dependent glucose cotransporters couple the transport of glucose against a concentration gradient with the simultaneous transport of Na+ down a concentration gradient. The sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter pathway plays an important pathological role in the Type 2 diabetes mallitus, and treatments targeting the system have recently become available. Dapagliflozin is a potent and specific inhibitor of sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter. Current data suggests that dapagliflozin as monotherapy or in combination with metformin results in significant reductions in fasting and postprandial plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin level. Dapagliflozin is well tolerated and does not increase hypoglycemia compared with the placebo, and use of dapagliflozin is associated mainly with weight loss. Dapagliflozin, a sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter inhibitor, offer a novel treatment option for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus