Design. The present study is a phase I, single-centre, double-blind, randomized, cross-over (3 treatments, 3 treatment periods and 6 sequences), stratified (background medication: metformin vs. diet-only), placebo-controlled study, comparing periods lasting 6-9 days on treatment with repeated doses of vildagliptin, sitagliptin, or placebo, with wash-out periods between treatment periods lasting 21 days minimum.~Experimental procedures. Meal tests were performed in the morning after an overnight fast. The standardized mixed meal was composed of 2 eggs (100 g), 1 slice (50 g) of whole grain rye bread, 1 slice (50 g) of rye flour bread, 10 g of fat-reduced margarine, 20 g of boiled ham, and 25 g of diet jam, amounting to 450 kcal, 50 % carbohydrate, 20 % protein, and 30 % fat (based on calorie count). Patients were allowed to drink tea (black or fruit-based) or de-caffeinated coffee ad libitum.~Blood sampling. Plasma glucose was determined in capillary samples taken from hyperaemic ear lobes. Venous blood was collected from indwelling venous cannulas placed in a distal forearm vein, for the determination of insulin, C-peptide, glucagon, GLP-1 (total), GLP-1 (intact), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) (total), GIP (intact), and free fatty acids. After drawing basal blood specimens at -15 and 0 min, blood was taken at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 240 min.~Laboratory determinations. Glucose, insulin, C-peptide, total GLP-1 (C-terminally directed assay), intact GLP-1 (sandwich ELISA), total GIP (C-terminally directed assay), intact GIP (N-terminally directed assay) and glucagon were determined.
The present study is a phase I, single-centre, double-blind, randomized, cross-over (3 treatments, 3 treatment periods and 6 sequences), stratified (background medication: metformin vs. diet-only), placebo-controlled study, comparing periods lasting 6-9 days on treatment with repeated doses of vildagliptin, sitagliptin, or placebo, with wash-out periods between treatment periods lasting 21 days minimum.~The study was designed to directly compare the effects of vildagliptin and sitagliptin on incretin hormone responses, glycaemia, and insulin as well as glucagon secretory responses in patients with type 2 diabetes.