Effects of acarbose in beta-thalassaemia major patients with normal glucose tolerance and hyperinsulinism.
The pathogenesis of diabetes in thalassaemia is complex and multifactorial. Understanding the sequence of abnormalities in the progression from normal glucose tolerance to impaired glucose tolerance may help in the formulation of ways to intervene in this process. In our study, we assessed the effects of acarbose, an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, in five young adult thalassaemic patients with hyperinsulinism and normal oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). A decrease of fasting insulin levels, insulin peak and area under the curve (AUC) after OGTT, were observed in thalassaemic patients receiving acarbose therapy. These values remained unchanged in an untreated group of eight thalassaemic patients. We believe that acarbose may have a potential role in the treatment of abnormalities of glucose homeostasis and insulin release.
Mangiagli
Antonino
A
Thalassaemia Centre, Umberto I Hospital, Siracusa, Italy. a.mangiagli@libero.it
Campisi
Saveria
S
De Sanctis
Vincenzo
V
Nicoletti
Manuela Caruso
MC
Cardinale
Giuliana
G
Galati
Maria Concetta
MC
Raiola
Giuseppe
G
Rigano
Paolo
P
Saviano
Anna
A
D020909:Acarbose / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000328:Adult; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D018149:Glucose Intolerance / Q000378:metabolism; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D006946:Hyperinsulinism / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D005947:Glucose; D020909:Acarbose