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Researchers have released findings of a new study which looked at a combination therapy used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
By giving patients a combination of Januvia (sitagliptin) and metformin, scientists were able to improve some markers of beta cell function and significantly reduce blood sugar levels.
Sitagliptin was approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) in April 2007 and was the first DPP-4 inhibitor available in Europe. It is indicated to improve glycaemic control in adult patients with type 2 diabetes, but should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes or for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis.
The new study, the findings of which were presented at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 68th Annual Scientific Sessions, found that the combination of drugs acted in different ways to increase blood levels of active GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), a hormone that, when blood sugar is higher than normal, enhances the production and secretion of insulin from beta cells in the pancreas.
“The improvements in markers of beta cell function we saw in this study may contribute to the significant lowering of blood sugar levels that was observed during two years of therapy with the initial combination of sitagliptin and metformin,” John Amatruda, senior vice president for research at the Diabetes and Obesity Franchise, said.
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