Question

1. Glyburide, a member of the sulfonylurea family of drugs, is used to treat type 2 diabetes. It binds to and closes the ATP-gated K+ channels on the pancreatic beta cells. This leads to membrane depolarization and activation of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels triggering fusion of insulin containing vesicles with the plasma membrane causing subsequent release of insulin into the blood. Given the mechanism of this drug’s action, would you expect glyburide to be useful for treating type I diabetes? Why or why not? 5 points

Answer 1

Ans.

• Glyburide, also known as glibencamide, is an FDA approved sulfonylurea of second generation that is used for the traetment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).
• It is available in the form of generic formulation.
• It is used in the treatment of type 2 DM, a condition where body is unable to use insulin normally and blood sugar level remains unchecked in body.
• It reduces the level of blood sugar in body by causing insulin release from pancrease and help body to effeciently use insulin.
• It is used in association with diet and exercise and also in some conditions along with other medications for the treatment of diabetes.
• It's mechanism of action is based on increasing insulin release from the beta cells of pancreas.
• Because of it's increased potency and longer time of elimmination, glyburide is considered as a second generation sulfonylurea.
• Glyburide is unable to treat type 1 diabetes because in this condition body is unable to produce insulin and amount of sugar in blood can not be controlled.
• Gyburide helps in controlling blood sugar level in type 2 DM but it does not cure diabetes.