Sitagliptin Promotes DFU Healing Independent of Glucose Control: Study

Sitagliptin Promotes DFU Healing Independent of Glucose Control: Study

Summary: A randomized controlled trial published in the *Journal of Diabetes* evaluated the effect of sitagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor, on wound healing in diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). The study found that sitagliptin enhanced ulcer healing, likely via mechanisms beyond glycemic control, including increased endothelial progenitor cell mobilization and elevated SDF-1α levels.

Key Highlights:

  • Design: 62 patients with DFUs were randomized 1:1 to receive standard therapy alone or plus sitagliptin (100 mg daily) in an open-label fashion.
  • Healing outcomes: The sitagliptin group showed significantly greater reductions in ulcer area and improved healing rates compared to control (p < 0.05).
  • Vascular biomarkers: Sitagliptin enhanced circulating CD34+ endothelial progenitor cell counts and increased SDF-1α levels compared to control.
  • Glycemic control: There was no significant difference in HbA1c levels between the groups, suggesting the wound-healing effect was independent of glucose lowering.
  • Safety: No adverse events linked to sitagliptin were reported in this trial.

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Keywords:
Sitagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor,
diabetic foot ulcer,
endothelial progenitor cells,
SDF-1α,
Gao et al