Effect of acarbose administration on plasma concentrations of zinc and copper in patients with NIDDM.

Acarbose reduces the intestinal absorption of dietary carbohydrate, thereby ameliorating postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus. Dietary carbohydrate can modulate the bioavailability of some trace minerals like zinc and copper. Deficiencies in these minerals are associated with glucose intolerance. It is still unknown whether acarbose's reduction of intestinal carbohydrate absorption causes the short supply of these minerals. Thus, we investigated the changes in plasma zinc and copper levels in patients with NIDDM, after administration of acarbose for 3 months. The results showed that acarbose did not significantly affect fasting and postprandial plasma levels of these minerals, even after acarbose withdrawal. This study indicated that acarbose administration in NIDDM patients over a 3-month period does not influence plasma levels of zinc or copper.