Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors increase circulating levels of active incretin hormones-glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) by blocking their degradation. In addition to their insulinotropic actions, GLP-1 and GIP also promote beta-cell proliferation and survival. The aim of this study was to test if DPP-4 inhibition with MK-0431 is beneficial for diabetic recipients with a marginal number of fresh islets.
