Modulation of gastric emptying as a therapeutic approach to glycaemic control.

Amylin is a peptide hormone which is deficient in patients with Type 1 and late stage Type 2 diabetes. Evidence from studies in rats and humans has suggested that it is involved in glucose homeostasis by modulating gastric emptying and, possibly, by regulating the release of glucagon. These observations have led to the suggestion that amylin may be used clinically to improve glycaemic control in patients with diabetes. Preliminary studies with the human amylin analogue, pramlintide, have provided evidence of beneficial effects in terms of improved glycaemic control in these patients; these effects are currently being investigated in long term phase III studies.