Incretin Therapies: Effects Beyond Glycemic Control

Impaired insulin secretion plays a major role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and progressive loss of β-cell function is a pathophysiologic hallmark of type 2 diabetes. Recent science has elaborated on the role of the incretin hormones on β-cell function and insulin secretion, as well as the role that incretin-based pharmacotherapies may have on glycemic control and β-cell function, possibly altering the progressive loss of β-cell function and possibly reversing/halting disease progression. However, incretin-based therapies may also have benefits extending beyond glycemic control and insulin secretion. In this review we examine some of those “beyond-glycemic” benefits, including presentation of data on weight reduction, blood pressure lowering, beneficial changes in the lipid profile, and improvements in myocardial and endothelial function. We investigate how those effects may help ameliorate the cardiovascular burden in patients with diabetes.