Effects of the alpha-glucosidase inhibitor acarbose on postprandial serum glucose and insulin concentrations in healthy dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To determine effects of acarbose on baseline and postprandial serum glucose and insulin concentrations in healthy dogs, if effects of acarbose were dosage related, and if acarbose caused any short-term adverse effects.


METHODS
5 healthy dogs fed a high-fiber diet.


METHODS
A Latin-square design was used. During each 1-week treatment period, dogs were given a placebo or 25, 50, 100, or 200 mg of acarbose, PO, twice daily immediately prior to feeding. There was a 1-week interval between periods. At the end of each treatment period, serum glucose and insulin concentrations were measured prior to feeding and at 30- to 60-minute intervals for 6 hours after feeding.


RESULTS
Baseline serum glucose and insulin concentrations, insulin peak response, and total glucose absorption were not significantly different following treatment with placebo and treatment with acarbose; however, total insulin secretion was significantly decreased when dogs were treated with 100 or 200 mg of acarbose. Four dogs developed soft to watery stools when treated with 200 mg of acarbose, and 2 dogs lost weight during the study. Results of CBC and serum biochemical analyses were within reference ranges throughout the study.


CONCLUSIONS
Acarbose did not induce any serious adverse effects and was effective in healthy dogs in reducing total postprandial insulin secretion when administered immediately prior to meals.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that acarbose may help control hyperglycemia in dogs with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Additional studies designed to evaluate the effect of acarbose on postprandial blood glucose concentrations in dogs with diabetes mellitus are indicated.
D020909:Acarbose; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D004285:Dogs; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D065089:Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D019518:Postprandial Period; D012016:Reference Values; D014312:Trisaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology*