Acarbose partially prevents the development of diabetes mellitus by multiple low-dose streptozotocin administration.

Prophylactic insulin treatment prevents the development of hyperglycemia in animal models of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Acarbose is a new antidiabetic drug which improves hyperglycemia by inhibiting alpha-glucosidase. In the present study, we determined the preventive effect of acarbose against multiple low-dose streptozotocin (MLDSTZ)-induced diabetes mellitus. The male ICR mice were fed acarbose (40 mg/100 g) containing powdered chow before the start of STZ administration. The mice were sacrificed at 3 and 10 days after the final STZ injection. MLDSTZ decreased serum immunoreactive insulin (IRI) levels and increased plasma glucose levels. Acarbose administration tended to decrease plasma glucose and serum IRI levels were significantly reduced in vehicle-treated mice. Acarbose administration significantly attenuated the degree of inflammation and destruction in pancreatic islets after MLDSTZ administration. In conclusion, acarbose-induced attenuation of acute hyperglycemia following MLDSTZ partially prevents the severity of pancreatic islet damage.