Incretin-based pharmacotherapy: from physiological mechanisms to management of type 2 diabetes and obesity

Positive effects of incretins on glucose metabolism was a basis for development of the new class of drugs with incretin activity. Currently, incretin-based pharmacotherapy is becoming the main approach for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. Its important advantages include high efficacy, a significant reduction in the risk of progression of metabolically associated diseases, and favorable tolerability. The authors review the physiological effects of incretins, clinical and pharmacological aspects of the use of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) eceptor agonists, and the twincretin tirzepatide.