Troglitazone (TGZ, brand name: Rezulin and Prelay) is a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) ligand, which was developed by Daiichi Sankyo and approved for the US market for the treatment of Type II diabetes mellitus. The drug is used alone or in combination with a sulfonylurea, metformin, or insulin as an adjunct to diet and exercise, and was not indicated as initial therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes. This drug was withdrawn from the UK market due to liver toxicity. It was removed from the US market in 2000, only 3 years after its introduction and from Japan, shortly afterward. In addition, was conducted a clinical trial for the treatment of patients with advanced liposarcoma by using troglitazone, but the positive result wasn’t obtained. It was shown, that in case of cancer cells troglitazone acted independently of PPAR gamma, by up-regulation of early growth response-1 (Egr-1). Egr-1 transcription factor has been linked to apoptosis and shown to be activated by extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK).

Teduglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) analogue. It is made up of 33 amino acids and is manufactured using a strain of Escherichia coli modified by recombinant DNA technology. Teduglutide differs from GLP-2 by one amino acid (alanine is substituted by glycine). The significance of this substitution is that teduglutide is longer acting than endogenous GLP-2 as it is more resistant to proteolysis from dipeptidyl peptidase-4. GLP-2 is known to increase intestinal and portal blood flow, and inhibit gastric acid secretion. Teduglutide binds to the glucagon-like peptide-2 receptors located in intestinal subpopulations of enteroendocrine cells, subepithelial myofibroblasts and enteric neurons of the submucosal and myenteric plexus. Activation of these receptors results in the local release of multiple mediators including insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, nitric oxide and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF). FDA approved on December 21, 2012. In Europe it has been granted orphan drug status and is marketed under the brand Revestive by Nycomed. It works by promoting mucosal growth and possibly restoring gastric emptying and secretion.