Mim��ticos do “glucagon-like peptide-1” (GLP-1) e o seu potencial farmac��utico no controlo da diabetes tipo 2 e da obesidade

A diabetes mellitus do tipo 2 �� caracterizada pela resist��ncia �� insulina e pela disfun����o das c��lulas β do p��ncreas. Os p��ptidos gastrintestinais, “gastric inhibitory polypeptide” (GIP) e “glucagon-like peptide-1” (GLP-1), s��o hormonas incretinas que estimulam, maioritariamente, a produ����o de insulina p��s-prandial. Formula����es contendo GLP-1 possuem um grande potencial no tratamento desta doen��a. Por��m, o GLP-1 �� eficaz apenas quando administrado por via parent��rica. Para o tratamento da diabetes mellitus tipo 2 s��o usados an��logos do GLP‑ 1 ou mim��ticos da incretina os quais s��o eficazes por via subcut��nea. The pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus type 2 includes insulin resistance and progressive β-cell dysfunction. The gastrointestinal peptides, gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon‑like peptide-1 (GLP-1), are incretin hormones which are responsible for the major part of postprandial insulin secretion. Formulations containing GLP-1 have a great potential in the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2. Nonetheless, GLP-1 is only efficient by continuous parenteral administration. GLP-1 analogues or incretin mimetics, exendine-4, are active after subcutaneous injection and can be used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus of type 2.