Therefore, the findings of the current study suggest that augmenting endogenous levels of GLP-1 using clinically available DPP-4 inhibitors such as Sitagliptin and Vildagliptin may provide for a therapeutic strategy, which not only treats the diabetes but also protects the heart from ischaemia-reperfusion injury, the major cardiac complication of diabetes. This evidence concerns the gene DPP4 and diabetes mellitus.