Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitor Improves Glycemic Control in NIDDM Patients Treated with Gliclazide

Abstract

The effect of the additional administration of α-glucosidase inhibitor on glycemic regulation in NIDDM patients treated with gliclazide was investigated.
Sixteen outpatients (8 males and 8 females) with NIDDM who showed good to fair glycemic control under gliclazide administration were enrolled into the present study.
At the time of α-glucosidase inhibitor administration (acarbose or voglibose), the daily doses of gliclazide were halved. Thereafter, the doses of gliclazide were adjusted to achieve better glycernic control, according to blood glucose and, glycated albumin concentrations. After 12-weeks caf α-glucosidase inhibitor administration, the daily doses of gliclazide required for effective glycemic control diminished from 64±35 to 48±31 mg/day. Levels of glycated hemoglobin and glycated albumin decreased significantly from 7.1±0.3 to 6.8±0.2%, and from 18.9±1.1 to 17.2±1.0%, respectively, Plasma glucose concentrations at 2-hr after breakfast also decreased significantly from 166±28 ta 123±27 mg/dl. Hypoglycemic episodes did not oceur throughout the iiivestigatiori period.
These observations indicate that the present therapeutic approach to treatmeiit of postprandial hyperglycemia in patients vvith NIDDM is efficient and safe, suggestillg that the regimell leads to prevention af the exhaustion of pancreatic beta cell function.