title: Use of an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor to maintain glucose homoeostasis during postprandial exercise in intensively treated Type 1 diabetic subjects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated the effects of an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, acarbose, on glucose homoeostasis during postprandial exercise in Type 1 diabetic subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven Type 1 diabetic subjects with good glycaemic control on ultralente-regular insulin were randomized in a single blind cross-over study to acarbose 100 mg or placebo taken with a mixed meal (600 kcal, 75 g carbohydrates), followed 90 min later by 30 min of exercise at 50% maximum aerobic capacity. Glucose turnover was measured by tracer (d-[6,6,2H2]glucose) methodology, and intestinal glucose absorption was quantified using carbohydrate polymers labelled with [13C]glucose.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Acarbose resulted in a significant decrease in the postprandial glycaemic rise (mean +/- SEM 2.9 +/- 0.6 vs. 5.0 +/- 0.7 mmol/l; P < 0.005) and in the glycaemic nadir during exercise (- 0.8 +/- 0.6 vs. 0.9 +/- 1.3 mmol/l below baseline; P < 0.05). Total glucose appearance increased similarly under the two treatments during the postprandial (27.0 vs. 27.9 micromol per kg per min) and exercise (33.9 vs. 33.5 micromol per kg per min) periods. Mean glucose absorption was significantly delayed by acarbose (7.8 vs. 10.2 micromol per kg per min; P < 0.02), but was compensated by the lack of postprandial suppression of hepatic glucose production (106% of basal hepatic glucose production vs. 81%; P < 0.006). Episodes of hypoglycaemia were no different (three vs. six).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that, in Type 1 diabetic subjects, acarbose results in a better glycaemic profile during postprandial exercise and suggest that it could lead to a lower risk of exercise-induced hypoglycaemia due to delayed glucose absorption and less suppression of hepatic glucose production.
authors.affiliation: Research Group on Diabetes and Metabolic Regulation, Research Centre, Hôtel-Dieu, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rabasa-Lhoret
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Burelle
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ducros
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bourque
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lavoie
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Massicotte
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Péronnet
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Chiasson
mesh_terms: D020909:Acarbose / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005502:Food; D005947:Glucose / Q000096:biosynthesis; D065089:Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010919:Placebos
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D065089:Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; D010919:Placebos; D005947:Glucose; D020909:Acarbose