Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has become one of the most prevalent noncommunicable diseases in the past years. It is\nundoubtedly associated with atherosclerosis and increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. Incretins, which are intestinal peptides\nsecreted during digestion, are able to increase insulin secretion and its impaired function and/or secretion is involved in the\npathophysiology of T2DM. Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) is an ubiquitous enzyme that regulates incretins and consequently is\nrelated to the pathophysiology of T2DM.DPP4 is mainly secreted by endothelial cells and acts as a regulatory protease for cytokines,\nchemokines, and neuropeptides involved in inflammation, immunity, and vascular function. In T2DM, the activity of DPP4 seems\nto be increased and there are a growing number of in vitro and in vivo studies suggesting that this enzyme could be a new link\nbetween T2DM and atherosclerosis. Gliptins are a new class of pharmaceutical agents that acts by inhibiting DPP4. Thus, it is\nexpected that gliptin represents a new pharmacological approach not only for reducing glycemic levels in T2DM, but also for the\nprevention and treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in diabetic subjects. We aimed to review the evidences that\nreinforce the associations between DPP4, atherosclerosis, and T2DM.
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