β-cell dysfunction: Its critical role in prevention and management of type 2 diabetes

Figure 10 Proposed concept of treatment strategy for type 2 diabetes in relation to functional β-cell mass. α-glucosidase inhibitor is partly approved for use in patients with impaired glucose tolerance in Japan. Medications not approved in Japan are not included in the figure. Since currently no single therapy or agent can cure and even manage type 2 diabetes (T2DM), an effective combination of current medications in addition to lifestyle modification aiming at reduction in β-cell workload is important to preserve or recover β-cell function. Adopted and modified from ref.[108,109]. IGT: Impaired glucose tolerance.