Lupigliptin Mechanism of Action

Pharmacology: Mechanism of Action: Sitagliptin is a Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, which is believed to exert its actions in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus by slowing the inactivation of incretin hormones. Concentrations of the active intact hormones are increased by Sitagliptin, thereby increasing and prolonging the action of these hormones. Incretin hormones, including glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), are released by the intestine throughout the day, and levels are increased in response to a meal. These hormones are rapidly inactivated by the enzyme, DPP-4. The incretins are part of an endogenous system involved in the physiologic regulation of glucose homeostasis. When blood glucose concentrations are normal or elevated, GLP-1 and GIP increase insulin synthesis and release from pancreatic beta cells by intracellular signaling pathways involving cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate (AMP). GLP-1 also lowers glucagon secretion from pancreatic alpha cells, leading to reduced hepatic glucose production. By increasing and prolonging active incretin levels, Sitagliptin increases insulin release and decreases glucagon levels in the circulation in a glucose-dependent manner. Sitagliptin demonstrates selectivity for DPP-4 and does not inhibit DPP-8 or DPP-9 activity in vitro at concentrations approximating those from therapeutic doses.
Pharmacokinetics: The pharmacokinetics of Sitagliptin has been extensively characterized in healthy subjects and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. After oral administration of a 100 mg dose to healthy subjects. Sitagliptin was rapidly absorbed, with peak plasma concentrations (median Tmax) occurring 1 to 4 hours postdose. Plasma AUC of sitagliptin increased in a dose-proportional manner. Following a single oral 100 mg dose to healthy volunteers, mean plasma Area Under the Curve (AUC) of Sitagliptin was 8.52 µM•hr, Cmax was 950 nM, and apparent terminal half-life (t½) was 12.4 hours. Plasma AUC of Sitagliptin increased approximately 14% following 100 mg doses at steady-state compared to the first dose. The intra-subject and inter-subject coefficient of variation for Sitagliptin AUC were small (5.8% and 15.1%). The pharmacokinetics of Sitagliptin was generally similar in healthy subjects and in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.