Incretin Mimetics and Incretin Enhancers

Two major strategies have been developed to increase the effect of incretins²¹:

• Incretin mimetics (GLP-1 analogues, GLP-1 receptor agonists)
  
• Incretin enhancers (DPP-4 inhibitors)

Incretin mimetics are injectable agents that mimic the actions of GLP-1 on glucose control.^21-23 Incretin mimetics include synthetic peptides similar to GLP-1 (GLP-1 analogues) that are able to activate the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1 receptor agonists) and have been modified to become resistant to the degrading action of DPP-4.^6,22

Incretin enhancers are orally effective, low molecular weight agents able to inhibit the DPP-4 enzyme (DPP-4 inhibitors).^6,24 By inhibiting DPP-4, endogenous levels of incretins are increased.^6,21,25