Abstract
Alpha-glucosidehydrolase inhibitor (BAY g 5421:α-GHI) of microbial origin has been shown to have a potent inhibitory effect on carbohydrate digestive enzymes such as a-sucrase and aamylase activities. Oral application of α-GHI may reduce dietary carbohydrate digestion in the intestinal lumen and may be of therapeutic benefit for diabetics who should consume only limited quantities of carbohydrate to avoid hyperglycemia after a meal. In the present study, we investigated the effect of α-GHI on carbohydrate metabolic improvement in non insulin dependent diabetics (Type II).
Fourteen diabetic subjects under dietary treatment were selected. Their fasting plasma glucose values were 100-200 mg/dl. Administration of α-GHI 100 mg with each meal (3 times per day) significantly reduced the fasting plasma glucose, postprandial glucose rise (ΔBS) at 1 hr, urinary glucose excretion, and serum cholesterol values during observation for up to 12 weeks. the triglyceride values were reduced at the 2nd week and gradually decreased until the 12th week.
The Broca index tended to decrease gradually, but not significantly, during α-GHI treatment. On the other hand, α-GHI treatment had no influence on the plasma glucose rise and insulin release in response to oral glucose loading; the plasma glucose and serum insulin response after α-GHI treatment were almost the same as those at pretreatment. The serum amylase activity and pancreatic isoamylase activity showed no difference before and after α-GHI treatment. It is concluded therefore that oral application of α-GHI with meals can be effective for carbohydrate metabolic improvement in diabetes mellitus.
