Dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors as new therapeutic agents for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most prevalent form of diabetes. Incretin hormones play an important role in normal and pathological blood glucose homeostasis. The role of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) in the inactivation of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), one of the most important incretins, is wellestablished. Therefore, DPP IV inhibitors are investigated as new therapeutic agents for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. A summary of DPP IV inhibitors reported until 1998 and a more extensive discussion of more recent inhibitors found in literature and patent applications will be provided. The therapeutic potential of several aminoacyl pyrrolidides, aminoacyl thiazolidides and aminoacyl pyrrolidine-2-nitriles will be reviewed.