Effect of DPP-4 inhibitor on elderly patients with T2DM combined with MCI

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor on blood sugar level and cognitive ability in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) combined with post-stroke mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Thirty patients received DPP-4 inhibitor (study group), while another thirty received sulfonylurea (control group). Six months after treatment, markers regarding blood sugar were improved in both groups (all P<0.05) without intergroup differences (all P>0.05); scores regarding cognitive ability improved in the study group (both P<0.05) and were higher versus the control group (both P<0.01); the study group had higher Aβ1-42/Aβ1–40 value versus the pretreatment value (P<0.001), which differed from the control group (P<0.05); tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 concentrations decreased in both groups, while the study group had greater reductions; C-reactive protein value decreased after treatment in the study group (all P<0.05). Using DPP-4 inhibitor in elderly patients with T2DM combined with post-stroke MCI can lower blood sugar and improve cognitive ability. The mechanism may be associated with the improvement of Aβ gathering and reduction in inflammatory response.