[Clinical experience with an alpha glucosidase inhibitor (acarbose) in the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Multicenter study].
BACKGROUND
Acarbose, an alpha glucosidase inhibitor is a drug used in the treatment of non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, that interferes with the intestinal absorption of monosaccharides.


OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of acarbose in non insulin dependent diabetic patients that had an inadequate metabolic control with diet and sulphonylureas.


METHODS
Diabetic patients received acarbose, 150 mg/day during four weeks and this dose was increased to 300 mg/day during 3 months. Afterwards, patients were followed for a period of 12 weeks without acarbose. Fasting and post-prandial blood glucose and glycosilated hemoglobin were measured sequentially during the study.


RESULTS
Eighty five patients were recruited for the study but 64 complied with the treatment protocol. The age of these patients was 56 +/- 8.8 years old, their diabetes duration was 7.8 +/- 8.8 years and their body mass index was 27.6 +/- 3.6 kg/m2. During acarbose treatment, glycosilated hemoglobin decreased from 8.36 +/- 1.33 to 7.71+ 1.7% (p < 0.001), fasting blood glucose decreased from 173 +/- 48 to 159 +/- 59 mg/dl (p < 0.03) and post-prandial blood glucose decreased from 254 +/- 80 to 241 +/- 80 mg/dl (NS). After discontinuing acarbose glycosilated hemoglobin and blood glucose levels returned to basal levels. Body weight and blood pressure did not change during the treatment period. Fifty nine patients had gastrointestinal symptoms (meteorism, flatulence and abdominal distention) that were mild in 59% and moderate in 39%. Episodes of hypoglycemia were not observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Acarbose, associated to sulphonylureas is an effective drug to reduce blood glucose and glycosilated hemoglobin levels in patients with non insulin dependent diabetes.
García de los Ríos
M
M
Unidad de Diabetes y Nutrición, Facultad de Medicina Universidad de Chile, Hospital San Juan de Dios.
Mujica
V
V
Muñoz
S
S
Durruty
P
P
Larenas
G
G
López
M I
MI
Kuzmanic
A
A
Pérez
J
J
Flaskamp
R
R
Cumsille
F
F
D020909:Acarbose; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D065089:Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014312:Trisaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000520:alpha-Glucosidases / Q000627:therapeutic use
D001786:Blood Glucose; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D065089:Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds; D014312:Trisaccharides; D000520:alpha-Glucosidases; D020909:Acarbose
Experiencia clínica con un inhibidor de la alfa glucosidasa (acarbosa) en el tratamiento de la diabetes no insulinodependiente. Estudio multicéntrico.