The protective effect of α-glucosidase inhibitor (GI) by once a day administration against the increase of postprandial blood glucose (ΔPBG) was examined. Using a control group of 5 hospitalized patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) consisting who received only dietary treatment, we demonstrated the effect of GI while considering the influence of an inproved of living environment during hospitalization. The effects on the blood glucose level were studied using the GI treatment group, which consisted of 8 hospitalized NIDDM patients who received medical treatment with GI, and compared the findings before and after GI treatment. In addition, we also compared two GI treatment groups, one which received treatment 3 times a day and the other which was treated only once a day. Blood samples were obtained at 30 min before and 2h after each meal, before sleep and early the next morning. The increase in the postprandial blood glucose levels decreased significantly by the once a day administration of GI, but no significant changes were observed in the control group. The in crease in (ΔPBG) level was also reduced by the once a day administration of GI, and the effect was also similar to that after the 3 times a day administration.
Our findings in this small group of patients suggest that good glycemic control can be obtained all day long by the once a day administration of GI.