ACARBOSE PARTIALLY PREVENTS THE DEVELOPMENT OF DIABETES-MELLITUS BY MULTIPLE LOW-DOSE STREPTOZOTOCIN ADMINISTRATION

Prophylactic insulin treatment prevents the development of hyperglycem ia in animal models of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Acarbose i s a new antidiabetic drug which improves hyperglycemia by inhibiting a -glucosidase. In the present study, we determined the preventive effec t of acarbose against multiple low-dose streptozotocin (MLDSTZ)-induce d 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. M LDSTZ decreased serum immunoreactive insulin (IRI) levels and increase d plasma glucose levels. Acarbose administration tended to decrease pl asma glucose and serum IRI levels were significantly reduced in vehicl e-treated mice. Acarbose administration significantly attenuated the d egree of inflammation and destruction in pancreatic islets after MLDST Z administration. In conclusion, acarbose-induced attenuation of acute hyperglycemia following MLDSTZ partially prevents the severity of pan creatic islet damage.