title: Effects of prolonged (6 months) alpha-glucosidase inhibition on blood glucose control and insulin requirements in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
abstract: To examine prolonged alpha-glucosidase inhibition on blood glucose control, Acarbose, a potent alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, was administered for six months to insulin-dependent diabetic patients. Acarbose administration significantly diminished postprandial blood glucose increases by 20-30% and reduced insulin requirements by about 40% in these patients. Symptoms related to its use almost disappeared after the first month of treatment. These results suggest that prolonged alpha-glucosidase inhibition improves glucose tolerance in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Thus, an agent like acarbose might be a useful adjunct to insulin in the treatment of diabetic patients.
mesh_terms: D020909:Acarbose; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D001835:Body Weight; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D005959:Glucosidases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D065089:Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007332:Insulin Infusion Systems; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014312:Trisaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D065089:Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; D007328:Insulin; D014312:Trisaccharides; D005959:Glucosidases; D020909:Acarbose