GLUCAGON-LIKE PEPTIDE-1 (GLP-1) AND GASTRIC INHIBITOR PEPTIDE (GIP) ARE NATURALLY OCCURRING HORMONES (INCRETINS) THAT ARE RELEASED FROM CELLS IN THE GUT IN RESPONSE TO FOOD. THEY BIND TO RECEPTORS ON PANCREATIC BETA CELLS STIMULATING THE RELEASE OF THE HORMONE INSULIN.
VILDAGLIPTIN WORKS BY INHIBITING DPP-IV, AN ENZYME THAT BREAKS DOWN GLP-1.
BY DELAYING THE DEGRADATION OF GLP-1, VILDAGLIPTIN EXTENDS THE ACTION OF INSULIN WHILE ALSO SUPPRESSING THE RELEASE OF GLUCAGON. THIS LEADS TO A REDUCTION IN ELEVATED BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVELS (HYPERGLYCAEMIA), WHICH IS A CHARACTERISTIC FEATURE OF TYPE 2 DIABETES.