Effects of the alpha-glucosidase inhibitor acarbose on the development of long-term complications in diabetic animals: pathophysiological and therapeutic implications.
Short-term studies with acarbose have demonstrated its efficacy in reducing postprandial blood glucose levels and glycated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)) levels. These effects would be expected to translate into improvements in long-term complications of diabetes, but such data are not yet available due to the long follow-up times required. Animal models of diabetes have, however, demonstrated the efficacy of acarbose in combating the long-term complications of the disease. The 18 animal studies reviewed here showed that acarbose treatment reduced postprandial blood glucose concentrations and decreased protein glycation. Through these actions, acarbose delayed or prevented the onset of renal, retinal, lens and neurological changes and the development of ischaemic myocardial lesions. Acarbose treatment can therefore be expected to benefit patients with Type 2 and, in combination with insulin, Type 1 diabetes. This is being investigated in ongoing clinical studies in patients with Type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).
Creutzfeldt
W
W
Medizinische Universitätsklinik, Robert-Koch-Strasse 40, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany.
D020909:Acarbose; D000818:Animals; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000517:prevention & control; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000517:prevention & control; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000517:prevention & control; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000517:prevention & control; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D065089:Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D014312:Trisaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D065089:Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; D014312:Trisaccharides; D020909:Acarbose