Emerging alternatives in the comprehensive management of a chronic disease: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Authors

Keywords:

Glycemic control, personalized medicine, natural products, gut microbiota, diabetes

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus constitutes a growing challenge for global and national public health due to its high prevalence. The objective of this research was to analyze recent advances in disease management, with an emphasis on the role of combination therapies and complementary therapeutic alternatives. To this end, searches were carried out in academic databases and international clinical guidelines, selecting articles published in the last five years based on predefined inclusion criteria. Descriptive methods and bibliometric analysis were applied, which made it possible to identify trends and gaps in scientific production. The results showed that combinations of metformin with SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and other hypoglycemic agents offered greater efficacy than monotherapy, improving glycemic control, promoting weight loss, and reducing cardiovascular risk. The potential of natural products and whey proteins was also highlighted as complementary options that contributed to modulating insulin sensitivity and metabolic regulation. Furthermore, the gut microbiota was identified as playing an emerging role in treatment efficacy and therapeutic personalization. Among the limitations, high cost and patient adherence were noted, underscoring the need for multidisciplinary interventions. In conclusion, the evidence analyzed demonstrated that combination therapies, integrated with non-pharmacological strategies and personalized approaches, represent a relevant and promising advance in the comprehensive care of type 2 diabetes.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

Silvio Amable Machuca-Vivar, Universidad Regional Autónoma de los Andes, Ecuador.

 

 

References

Ahmad, E., Lim, S., Lamptey, R., Webb, D. R., & Davies, M. J. (2022). Type 2 diabetes. The Lancet, 400(10365), 1803–1820. https://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140-6736(22)01655-5/abstract

Artasensi, A., Pedretti, A., Vistoli, G., & Fumagalli, L. (2020). Type 2 diabetes mellitus: A review of multi-target drugs. Molecules, 25(8), 1987. https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/8/1987

Chen, Z.-Z., & Gerszten, R. E. (2020). Metabolomics and proteomics in type 2 diabetes. Circulation Research, 126(11), 1613–1627. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.120.315898

Daly, A., & Hovorka, R. (2021). Technology in the management of type 2 diabetes: Present status and future prospects. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 23(8), 1722–1732. https://doi.org/10.1111/dom.14418

Demir, S., Nawroth, P. P., Herzig, S., & Ekim Üstünel, B. (2021). Emerging targets in type 2 diabetes and diabetic complications. Advanced Science, 8(18), 2100275. https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202100275

Gurung, M., Li, Z., You, H., Rodrigues, R., Jump, D. B., Morgun, A., & Shulzhenko, N. (2020). Role of gut microbiota in type 2 diabetes pathophysiology. eBioMedicine, 51, 102590. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.11.051

Hernández-Negrín, H., López-Sampalo, A., Ricci, M., Velasco, M. Á. P., & Gómez-Huelgas, R. (2024). Manejo terapéutico de la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 en personas con edad avanzada o frágiles. FMC - Formación Médica Continuada en Atención Primaria, 31(3), 148–157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aprim.2023.12.007

Lesgards, J.-F. (2023). Benefits of whey proteins on type 2 diabetes mellitus parameters and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Nutrients, 15(5), 1294. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/5/1294

Ma, C.-X., Ma, X.-N., Guan, C.-H., Li, Y.-D., Mauricio, D., & Fu, S.-B. (2022). Cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus: Progress toward personalized management. Cardiovascular Diabetology, 21(1), 74. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12933-022-01516-6

Pereira Olmos, H., Pesse Sorensen, K., Cruz Mariño, A., De Armas Toro, H. J., Machuca Espinoza, J. X., & Quishpe Narváez, E. (2024). Calidad de la información en las historias clínicas de personas con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 sobre el cuidado de los pies en centros de atención primaria de salud de Ecuador. Atención Primaria Práctica, 6(4), 100213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appr.2024.100213

Pollakova, D., Andreadi, A., Pacifici, F., Della-Morte, D., Lauro, D., & Tubili, C. (2021). The impact of vegan diet in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes: A systematic review. Nutrients, 13(6), 2123. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/6/2123

Rodríguez, I. A., Serafini, M., Alves, I. A., Lang, K. L., Silva, F. R. M. B., & Aragón, D. M. (2023). Natural products as outstanding alternatives in diabetes mellitus: A patent review. Pharmaceutics, 15(1), 85. https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/15/1/85

Sanz-Cánovas, J., López-Sampalo, A., Cobos-Palacios, L., Ricci, M., Hernández-Negrín, H., Mancebo-Sevilla, J. J., & Gómez-Huelgas, R. (2022). Management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in elderly patients with frailty and/or sarcopenia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(14), 8677. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/14/8677

Shen, Y.-R., Cheng, L., & Zhang, D.-F. (2024). TRPV1: A novel target for the therapy of diabetes and diabetic complications. European Journal of Pharmacology, 984, 177021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.177021

Sridonpai, P., Prachansuwan, A., Praengam, K., Tuntipopipat, S., & Kriengsinyos, W. (2021). Postprandial effects of a whey protein-based multi-ingredient nutritional drink compared with a normal breakfast on glucose, insulin, and active GLP-1 response among type 2 diabetic subjects: A crossover randomised controlled trial. Journal of Nutritional Science, 10, e49. https://doi.org/10.1017/jns.2021.41

Tsoutsouki, J., Wunna, W., Chowdhury, A., & Chowdhury, T. A. (2020). Advances in the management of diabetes: Therapies for type 2 diabetes. Postgraduate Medical Journal, 96(1140), 610–618. https://doi.org/10.1136/postgradmedj-2020-138741

Published

2025-10-01

How to Cite

Estrella-López, B. C., Aguilar-Berrezueta, R. J., & Machuca-Vivar, S. A. (2025). Emerging alternatives in the comprehensive management of a chronic disease: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Revista UGC, 3(S3), 375–380. Retrieved from https://universidadugc.edu.mx/ojs/index.php/rugc/article/view/261