alpha-Glucosidase inhibition improves postprandial hyperglycemia and decreases insulin requirements in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

In patients with diabetes mellitus, delayed increases in circulating insulin levels followed by prolonged hyperinsulinemia due to slow absorption of subcutaneously administered insulin hinders maintenance of euglycemia. To determine whether a delay in carbohydrate absorption would increase the effectiveness of subcutaneous insulin in controlling postprandial hyperglycemia in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and whether it could allow insulin to be taken immediately prior to meals, the effects of an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor (Acarbose Boyer AG, Wuppertal, Germany) on postprandial plasma glucose profiles were determined in six subjects with insulin-dependent diabetes when a subcutaneous insulin infusion was started immediately or 30 minutes prior to meal ingestion. When 25% less insulin (9 v 12 units) was given along with Acarbose 30 minutes prior to meal ingestion, postprandial hyperglycemia decreased by 45% (areas under the curve, AUC, 8193 +/- 1960 v 14783 +/- 2260 mg/dL X min, P less than 0.02). When similar amounts of insulin (12 units) were given immediately prior to meal ingestion, postprandial hyperglycemia decreased 55% (AUC 6187 +/- 2240 v 13642 +/- 1579 mg/dL X min, P less than 0.001). These results indicate that delay in carbohydrate absorption improves the effectiveness of subcutaneous insulin in controlling postprandial hyperglycemia in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and may permit satisfactory postprandial glycemic control when insulin is administered immediately prior to meal ingestion. Thus, an agent like Acarbose, which delays carbohydrate absorption, may be useful as an adjunct to insulin in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.