Sulfonylureas in the modern strategy of therapy of type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) is a chronic progressing disease associated with insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion insufficient toovercome insulin resistance that deteriorates as a result of glucose toxicity and beta-cell apoptosis. Combination of metformin and sulfonylureas (SU) iscurrently regarded as an effective strategy of hypoglycemic therapy having effect not only on the main stages of pathogenesis but also on t dangerousrisk factors leading to adverse events (hypoglycemia, body weight increment, cardiovascular disorders). Amaryl, SU of the 3d generation, meets allcriteria of safety and efficacy for combined hypoglycemic therapy due to its high affinity to a specific subunit of SU receptors-1 on beta-cells coupled toshort-term stimulating action on insulin secretion. Moreover, it has a unique SU-unrelated extrapancreatic mechanism of action. The efficacy andsafety of Amaryl was confirmed in a number of clinical studies which gives reason to recommend it for inclusion in any modern hypoglycemic therapywith a minimal risk of hypoglycemia, lack of weight increment, positive effect on the cardiovascular system and progress of atherosclerosis