GLOSSARY

Below is a brief list of terms used in the ield of diabetes and obesity. Please consult the Drug Targets and Drugs on the Market sections of this Website for a detailed explanation of the leading diabesity drug targets and classes.

A
A1C See HbA1c.
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors A class of oral medications for type 2 diabetes that decrease the absorption of glucose by preventing the digestion of glycogen in the intestine. See Drugs on the Market and Drug Targets for more information.
Anorexigenic Causing loss of appetite.
B
Biguanides A class of diabetes medications that decrease the amount of glucose produced by the liver and increasing glucose uptake in the body. See Drugs on the Market for more information.
BMI (body mass index)

A measure of an adult's weight in relation to his or her height.
Metric formula: person's weight in kg/ [person's height in m]2
Imperial unit formula: person's weight in lb / [person's height in inches]2 x 703

Classification
BMI
Underweight
≤ 18.5
Normal
18.5 to 24.9
Overweight
25 to 29.9
Obese
≥ 30
D
Diabetes mellitus See type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
DPP IV inhibitors A class of oral medications for type 2 diabetes that prevent the breakdown of incretin hormones (GLP-1 and GIP) which leads to enhanced insulin secretion. See Drugs on the Market and Drug Targets for more information.
Dyslipidemia Metabolic disorder characterized by an increase in the amount of blood lipids.
G
Gestational diabetes A form of glucose intolerance diagnosed during pregnancy
Glitazones A class of oral medications for type 2 diabetes that act by increasing the sensitivity of cells to insulin. Also called thiazolidinediones or TZDs. See Drugs on the Market for more information.
GLP-1 mimetics A class of injectable medications for type 2 diabetes that act by increasing the sensitivity of cells to insulin. See Drugs on the Market and Drug Targets for more information.
Glucagon A hormone synthesized and secreted from alpha cells of the pancreas that causes the liver to release glucose.
Gluconeogenesis Generation of glucose, mainly in the liver, from non-carbohydrate sources, such as amino acids and glycerol.
Glycemia

The concentration of glucose in the blood expressed in milligrams per decilitre (mg/dl) or in millimoles per litre (mmol/l). Fasting blood glucose concentrations are used to classify patients into the following categories:

Status
Fasting glucose level in mg/dl
Normal
70-100
Pre-diabetes
100-125
Diabetes
> 125
Glycogen The storage form of glucose into a long chain polymer present in the liver and muscles.
Glycogenesis The metabolic pathway that will synthesize glycogen from glucose by incorporating it into a polymeric branched structure (glycogen).
Glycogenolysis The metabolic pathway that breaks down glycogen from the liver and muscles into glucose-1-phosphate and glucose-6-phosphate. Glucose-6-phosphate will then either enter the glycolysis pathway to produce energy or will be converted to glucose.
Glycolysis The metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose into pyruvate thereby releasing energy in the form of ATP.
Grhelin A hormone synthesized in the stomach that stimulates appetite and decreases energy expenditure.
H
HbA1c An indication of blood glucose concentration over a long period of time that measures glycated hemoglobin (glucose attached to hemoglobin) in the blood. In healthy individuals this is 4% to 5.9% and in untreated diabetics it can be as high as 25%.
Hyperglycemia A glucose blood level above the normal range.
Hypoglycemia A glucose blood level below the normal range.
I
Insulin A hormone synthesized and secreted by beta cells in the pancreas in response to high blood sugar levels. Insulin causes the liver and muscle cells to store glucose in the form of glycogen and adipose cells to store glucose in the form of fat.
Insulinotropic Stimulating the production of insulin.
J
Juvenile diabetes See type 1 diabetes.
K
Keto acidosis A condition where lactic acid levels build up in the blood increase to potentially lethal levels
L
Lactic acidosis A condition where lactic acid levels build up in the blood to potentially lethal levels
Leptin A hormone that suppresses appetite and increases energy expenditure.
Lipase inhibitors A class of oral medications for obesity that prevent the breakdown of fat into absorbable fatty acids. See Drugs on the Market and Drug Targets for more information.
Lipogenesis Generation of fat, mainly in the liver and adipose tissues, from carbohydrate sources.
Lipolysis Breakdown of fat in adipose tissues
M
Meglitinides A class of oral medications for type 2 diabetes that increase the insulin output by the pancreas. See Drugs on the Market for more information.
O
Obese

Having a BMI equal to or greater than 30. Obesity is further subdivided into three classes:

Classification
BMI
Class I obese
30 to 34.9
Class II obese
35 to 39.9
Class III obese
≥ 40
Orexigenic Causing stimulation of appetite.
Overweight Having a BMI equal to or greater than 25 but less than 30.
P
Pre-diabetes A condition in which individuals have blood glucose levels higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. Pre-diabates is defined by fasting glucose levels in the range of 100 to 125 mg/dl.
S
Sulfonylureas A class of oral medications for type 2 diabetes that increase insulin secretion by the pancreas by binding to receptors on insulin producing cells. These medications are long acting. See Drugs on the Market for more information.
T
Thiazolidinediones See glitazones.
Type 1 diabetes Condition where the body's immune system destroys insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas. Type 1 diabetes usually develops in children but can also appear in adults. Also called juvenile diabetes or IDDM (insulin dependent diabetes mellitus).
Type 2 diabetes Condition where the pancreas lacks the ability to produce insulin in response to elevated blood sugar levels or the body does not respond to insulin. Type 2 diabetes usually develops in overweight adults with a sedentary lifestyle but may also appear in obese children. Also called NIDDM (non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) or T2DM (type 2 diabetes mellitus).