Association between dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors use and leptin in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Abstract Background Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) provide a unique antihyperglycemic effect by regulating incretin peptides in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients who are inadequately controlled with insulin therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of DPP-4i on leptin concentrations in subjects with T2DM. Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with comparators were systematically searched through PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Quantitative analysis was performed with a fixed or random-effects model according to heterogeneity. Publication bias was evaluated by using the standard methods for sensitivity analysis. Results Ten trials with 698 patients with T2DM were included. Pooled analysis demonstrated that DPP-4i did not significantly change leptin concentrations (1.31 ng/mL, 95 % CI − 0.48 to 3.10). DPP-4i exerted effects on modulating leptin levels compared to active comparators (0.21 ng/mL, 95 % CI − 1.37 to 1.78). Meta-analysis was powerful and stable after sensitivity analysis. Conclusions DPP-4i did not modulate leptin concentrations in T2DM and exerted no stronger effects than traditional antidiabetic agents.