141: Type II diabetes

Question 1

what is HbA1c?

Answer 1

glucose binds to haemoglobin, forming the A1c subtype. It can be used as an indicator of glucose levels over the preceding 4 weeks. Red blood cells live 120 days.

Question 2

how does a biguanide work?

Answer 2

improves insulin action. e.g. metformin

Question 3

how does a sulphonylurea work?

Answer 3

increase insulin production e.g. gliclazide.

Question 4

name a biguanide…

Answer 4

metformin

Question 5

how do metiglinides work?

Answer 5

increase insulin production

Question 6

name some sulphonylureas…

Answer 6

gliclazide, glimepiride, glibenclamide, tolbutamide

Question 7

name some metiglinides…

Answer 7

repaglinide, nateglinide.

Question 8

how do alpha-glucosidase inhibitors work?

Answer 8

delay glucose absorption

Question 9

what is acarbose?

Answer 9

alpha-glucosamidase inhibitor. delays glucose absorption.

Question 10

how do thiazolidinediones work?

Answer 10

increase peripheral sensitivity to insulin

Question 11

name some thiazolidinediones….

Answer 11

rosiglitazone and pioglitazone

Question 12

what is incretin?

Answer 12

a name for a group of hormones that stimulate insulin production by the beta cells of the islets of langerhans in the pancreas. e.g. GLP-1 (glucagon like peptide 1)

Question 13

first line for blood glucose control?

Answer 13

metformin ( then add sulfonylurea, then move to insulin)

Question 14

what is SGLT2

Answer 14

sodium glucose cotransporter in the kidney helps reabsorb glucose…block it in diabetes as possible therapy.

Question 15

name some SGLT2 inhibitors…

Answer 15

canagliflozin, dapagliflozin,empagliflozin, ipragliflozin