Effect of Sitagliptin on Endothelial Progenitor Cells
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2010-01-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are involved in cardiovascular homeostasis, through
angiogenesis and endothelial healing. Diabetic patients have a high risk of cardiovascular
events and low levels of circulating EPCs.
Sitagliptin is an oral DPP-IV antagonist, approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It
increases the bioavailability of endogenous incretins, thus improving insulin and glucagon
secretion. SDF-1, one of the major EPC regulators, is also a substrate of DPP-IV. This study
tests the hypothesis that sitagliptin increases the levels of circulating EPCs in type 2
diabetic patients.