Beneficial effects of acarbose on daily plasma glucose profile and cataract development in sand rats.

Sand rats were used as a model for nutritionally induced type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes in an effort to evaluate the effect of acarbose on carbohydrate digestion. Daily plasma glucose profiles, insulin levels and weekly cararact development were determined following long-term feeding with a diet containing acarbose (20 or 40 mg/100 g diet). Acarbose not only dramatically decreased daily plasma glucose and insulin levels (p < 0.05) but also delayed, and possibly prevented, cataract formation in sand rats. The effect of acarbose persisted for 150 days. The control of daily plasma glucose levels and reduction of insulin levels obtained with acarbose may lead to the delay of cataract formation in sand rats. These results could have potential applications to diabetic patients as an adjunct treatment.