Figure 3.

A DPP-4 inhibitor, sitagliptin, effectively improves hyperglycemia induced by dexamethasone loading in mice. Mice were subjected to sitagliptin (10 mg/kg), metformin (250 mg/kg) and tofogliflozin (10 mg/kg) by gavage for 7 days during and after Dexa loading. Blood glucose level in the OGTT of Dexa-treated mice (days 14 and 56) was effectively improved by sitagliptin. (A) Schematic representation of the drug treatment in the experimental mice. (B, E) Blood glucose level in the OGTT before Dexa loading (day 0), (C, F) during Dexa loading (day 14), and postloading (day 56). Dexa, dexamethasone; DPP-4, dipeptidyl peptidase 4; OGTT, oral glucose tolerance test. Gray lines represent drug free Dexa-treated mice, whereas black lines, broken lines, and dotted lines represent sitagliptin, metformin, and tofogliflozin treatment in Dexa-treated mice, respectively. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 vs control, ^##P < 0.01 vs sitagliptin treatment group. N = 8 per group.