Mechanisms/Drug Class

Question 1

What is the mechanism of action of α-glucosidase inhibitors?

Answer 1

They are carbohydrate analogues that bind avidly to intestinal brush border α-glucosidase enzyme; slowing breakdown and absorption of dietary carbohydrates, such as starch, dextrin, and dissaccharides

Question 2

acarbose

Answer 2

α-glucosidase inhibitor

Question 3

miglitol

Answer 3

α-glucosidase inhibitor

Question 4

voglibose

Answer 4

α-glucosidase

Question 5

What is the mechanism of action of exogenous insulin?

Answer 5

Insulin is the classic anabolic hormone, insulin promotes carbohydrate metabolism and facilitates glucose, amino acid, and triglyceride uptake and storage in the liver, cardiac, and skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue

Question 6

regular insulin

Answer 6

prandial bolus exogenous insulin

Question 7

insulin lispro

Answer 7

prandial bolus exogenous insulin

Question 8

insulin aspart

Answer 8

prandial bolus exogenous insulin

Question 9

insulin glulisine

Answer 9

prandial bolus exogenous insulin

Question 10

NPH insulin

Answer 10

basal “long-acting” exogenous insulin

Question 11

insulin glargine

Answer 11

basal “long-acting” exogenous insulin

Question 12

insulin detemir

Answer 12

basal “long-acting” exogenous insulin

Question 13

What is the mechanism of action of secretagogues?

Answer 13

Sulfonylureas and meglitinides inhibit the β-cell K+/ATP channel at the SUR1 subunit, thereby stimulating insulin release from pancreatic β-cells and increasing circulating insulin to levels sufficient to overcome insulin resistance

Question 14

acetohexamide

Answer 14

first-generation sulfonylurea

Question 15

chlorproamide

Answer 15

first-generation sulfonylurea

Question 16

tolazamide

Answer 16

first-generation sulfonylurea

Question 17

tolbutamide

Answer 17

first-generation sulfonylurea

Question 18

glimepriride

Answer 18

second-generation sulfonylurea

Question 19

glipizide

Answer 19

second-generation sulfonylurea

Question 20

glibenclamide (glyburide)

Answer 20

second-generation sulfonylurea

Question 21

gliclazide

Answer 21

second-generation sulfonylurea

Question 22

gliquidone

Answer 22

second-generation sulfonylurea

Question 23

nateglinide

Answer 23

meglitinide

Question 24

regaglinide

Answer 24

meglitinide

Question 25

What is the mechanism of action of insulin sensitizers: biguanides?

Answer 25

Activates AMP-dependent protein kinase (AMPK) to block synthesis of fatty acids and to inhibit hepatic gluconeogenesis and glucogenolysis; increases insulin receptor activity and metabolic responsiveness in liver and skeletal muscle

Question 26

metformin

Answer 26

insulin sensitizer: biguandes

Question 27

What is the mechanism of action of amylin analogue?

Answer 27

It is co-released with insulin from the β-cell; acts on receptors in the CNS to slow gastric emptying, reduce postprandial glucagon and glucose released, and promote satiety

Question 28

pramlintide

Answer 28

amylin analogue

Question 29

What is the mechanism of action of incretins?

Answer 29

They act on glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor (GLP-1 analogues) or prolong GLP-1 activity (DPP-4 inhibitors) to enhance glucose-dependent insulin secretion, inhibit glucagon secretion, delay gastric emptying, and decrease appetite

Question 30

exenatide

Answer 30

GLP-1 analogue (incretin)

Question 31

liraglutide

Answer 31

GLP-1 analogue (incretin)

Question 32

sitagliptin

Answer 32

DPP-4 inhibitor (incretin)

Question 33

saxagliptin

Answer 33

GLP-1 analogue (incretin)

Question 34

What is the mechanism of action of insulin sensitizers: thiazolidinediones (TZDs)?

Answer 34

They bind and stimulate the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), thereby increasing insulin sensitivity in adipose tissue, liver, and muscle

Question 35

pioglitazone

Answer 35

insulin sensitizer: thiazolidinedione

Question 36

rosiglitazone

Answer 36

insulin sensitizer: thiazolidinedione

Question 37

What is the mechanism of action of diazoxide?

Answer 37

Binds to SUR1 subunit of K+/ATP channels in pancreatic β-cells and stabilizes the ATP-bound (open) state of the channel so that β-cells remain hyperpolarized, this decreases insulin secretion by the cells

Question 38

What is the mechanism of action of somatostatin analogues?

Answer 38

Inhibits GHRH release

Question 39

octreotide

Answer 39

somatostatin analogue

Question 40

What is the mechanism of action of exogenous glucagon?

Answer 40

Glucagon is a polypeptide hormone produced by the α-cells in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, that stimulates gluconeogenesis and glucogenolysis in the liver, resulting in an increase in blood sugar