Diabetes medications protect against autoimmune diseases
Drugs of the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor class, widely used to reduce blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus, may reduce the risk of developing autoimmune diseases.
Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, such as linagliptin (trazhenta), saxagliptin (onglyza) and sitagliptin (januvia), are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 is a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed by many cells of the body and involved in the functioning of the immune system. The results of earlier studies indicated that inhibitors of this protein, due to their ability to suppress the proliferation of T-lymphocytes and the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines, are potentially therapeutic agents for the treatment of a number of inflammatory diseases. Based on this, researchers from several medical and research institutions in Boston, working under the guidance of Associate Professor Seoyoung C. Kim, suggested that patients with type 2 diabetes taking dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors would be at a reduced risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases, compared with patients taking other hypoglycemic agents.
To test this hypothesis, the data contained in the archive of documents on commercial insurance payments in the period 2005-2011 were analyzed. The researchers compared two mutually exclusive groups, each of which included more than 58,000 people: patients with type 2 diabetes who received combination therapy with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, and those who took drugs of other classes.
The study did not include patients who received injectable insulin, as well as those who had systemic autoimmune diseases, HIV or cancer. During the analysis, adjustments were made for age, gender, concomitant diseases, factors associated with diabetes, taking other medications, as well as the frequency of requests for medical help.
The results showed that the use of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors reduced the risk of rheumatoid arthritis by 34% and other autoimmune diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis and multiple sclerosis by 27%).
According to Dr. Kim, the results obtained cannot be called final, but they can help to understand previously unknown mechanisms that prevent the development of autoimmune diseases. They can also form the basis of a new therapeutic approach. She notes that further research is needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of taking dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors for the prevention of autoimmune diseases in people who do not suffer from diabetes mellitus.
The results of the work are presented at the annual congress held by the American College of Rheumatology on October 25-30 in San Diego.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of the American College of Rheumatology:
Medication Used to Control Blood Sugar in People with Type 2 Diabetes May Also Reduce the Risk of Autoimmune Diseases.
30.10.2013