Current data on the effectiveness of gliclazide and molecular mechanisms of action of the drug

Abstract

With the growing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) the possibility of treating it with available drugs is one of the main issues. Although glycemic control and reduction of micro- and macrovascular outcomes remain important aspects of treatment, the main limiting factors are the availability and cost of oral hypoglycemic agents. Although newer agents, such as sodium -glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists, potentially being valuable for patients with insulin resistance and cardiovascular complications, they are relatively expensive and have limited availability. Second-generation sulfonylureas effectively reduce glycated hemoglobin and contribute to the prevention of micro- and macrovascular complications of T2DM The review substantiates the role of Gliclazide MR as a more affordable drug for the treatment of T2DM, the safety of which has been confirmed by many studies; cardio-and nephroprotective effects are shown, as well as mechanisms for influencing в-cells of the pancreas and extrapancreatic effects through activation of phospholipase C and the G-protein-сoupled-receptors (GPCR) are analyzed. The latest data on the assessment of adverse events of Gliclazide MR are presented in comparison with both other sulfonylureas and glucose-lowering drugs of other classes.