Can alpha-glucosidase inhibitors reduce the insulin dosage administered to patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus?
For 10 patients (three women and seven men) with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, who had been given insulin (22.6 +/- 19.6 U/day) and had frequently shown hypoglycaemia, the insulin dose was slightly reduced and the administration of an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor was simultaneously started. Hypoglycaemic symptoms disappeared immediately and completely, and sugar metabolism immediately before the withdrawal of treatment was not aggravated: the glycosylated haemoglobin level was unchanged and the post-prandial blood glucose level was increased though not significantly. The results of the present study indicate that the combined used of an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor with a reduced insulin dose improves the quality of life of patients and may improve hyperinsulinaemia.
Okada
S
S
Third Department of Internal Medicine, Okayama University Medical School, Japan.
Ishii
K
K
Hamada
H
H
Tanokuchi
S
S
Ichiki
K
K
Ota
Z
Z
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004435:Eating; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D065089:Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007328:Insulin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D001786:Blood Glucose; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D065089:Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin